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1 1741-245Y

WORKS |
SHAKESPEARE.

In EIGHT VOLUMES.

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VOLUME th FIRST.

CONTAINING,

The TEMSHESr᷑.

The Two GENTLEMEN SNF VERONA.
The MERRYV Wives HF WIN ODSOX.
MAs u RE i MEASURE.

The CoMEDY of ERRORS,
Moch APD O about NoTHING.

9

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LONDON:

Printed for J. Tonsoxn, and the reſt of the
PROPRIET o RS,

- MDCXXXV.

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By Mr. WILLIAM SHAKESPEAR.

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PRIETORS; and ſold by the Bookſellers *
London and V miner. | T

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MDCCXXXVI.

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DEED ED DE EA;
Dramatis Perſons.

A ON SO, King of Naples.

Sebaſtian, his Brother.

Proſpero, the right Duke of Milan.

Anthonio, his Brother, the uſurping Duke of Milan.
Ferdinand, Son to the King of Naples.

Gonzalo, an honeſt old Coumſellor of Naples.

Adrian,
Franciſco, 8 Lords.

Caliban, a- Salvage, and deformed Slave.

Trinculo, a Fefter.

Stephano, à drunken Butler.

Maſter of a Ship, Boatfwain and Mariners.
5 0 | |

Miranda, Daughter to Proſpefo.
Ariel, an airy Spirit.

Iris,
Ceres, 3 2 |
Juno, Spirits, employ'd in the Maſque.
Nymphs, |
- Reapers,

Other Spirits, attending on Profyero.
SCENE, an uninhabited and.

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1
SCENE, On 4 Ship at Sea.

A tempeſtuous noiſe of thunder and lightning heard : Enter
a Ship-maſter, and a Boatfwain. G |

MASTER.
ed Oatſwin, | PSY
W Boatſ. Here, Maſter : what cheer ?
WW Maſt. Good, ſpeak to th" Mariners:
fall to't yarely, or we run ourſelves a-

* Y, or W 7
- 5 Ne ground ; beſtir 5 beſtir. [ Ext.

— De Enter Mariners. |
W Boat/. Hey, my hearts 3 cheerly,

my Hearts; yare, yare; take in the top-ſail; tend to
th' maſter's whiſtle ; blow, till thou burit thy wind, if
room enough. 2

Enter Alonſo, Sebaſtian, Antonio, Ferdinand.

ä Gonzalo, and others.

| Alon. Good Boatſwain, have care; where's the ma-

ſter ? play the men.

Beatſ. I pray now, keep below.

Ant, Where is the maſter, Boatſwain ?

Boatſ. Do you not hear him? you mar our labour;
keep your cabins; you do aſſiſt the ſtorm.

Gonz. Nay, good, be patient.

Boatſ. When the ſea is. Hence what care theſe
Roarers for the name of King? to cabin; filence ; trou-

ble us not.
A 2 Gonz-

87

The TEMPEST.

Gonz. Good, yet remember whom thou haſt aboard-
Baatſ. None, that J more love than myſelf. You are

4

a Counſellor ; if you can command theſe elements to ſi-

lence, and work. the peace o' the preſent, we will not
hand a rope more; _ uſe your authority. If you cannot,
give thanks you have liv'd ſo long, and make yourſelf
ready in your cabin for the miſchance of the hour, if it
ſo hap. Cheerly, good hearts : out of our way, I fay.
| [Exit.

Gonz, I have great comfort from this fellow ; me-
thinks, he hath no drowning Mark upon him ; his com-
pon is perfect gallows. Stand faſt, good fate, to his
nging ; make the rope of his deſtiny our cable, for our

own doth little advantage: if he be not born to be

hang'd, our caſe is miſerable. [Exeunt.
Re-enter Boatſwain. c

Boat/. Down with the top-maſt : yare, lower, lower ;
bring her to try with main courſe. A plague upon this
howling ! |

A cry within, Re-enter Sebaſtian, Anthonio, and

Gonzalo.

They are louder than the weather, or our office. Vet a-
gain? what do you here? ſhall v give o'er, and drown ?
have you a mind to fink ? . |

Sebaſ. A pox o' your throat, you bawling, blaſphe-
mous, uncharitable deg.

Boat. Work you then.

Ant. Hang, cut, hang; you whoreſon, inſolent, noiſe-
maker; we are leſs afraid to be drown'd, than thou art.

Conx. ÞIl warrant him from drowning, tho the ſhip _
were no ſtronger than a nut-ſhell, and as leaky as an un-
ſtanch'd wench. |

Boat/. Lay her a-hold, a-hold ; ſet her two courſes off
to ſea again, lay her off.

Enter marriners abet. |
Mar. All loſt! to prayers, to prayers ! [Exe.
Boat/. What, muſt our Meuths be cold?

© Sonx. The King and Prince at Prayers! let us aſſiſt em.

For our caſe 1s as theirs. |
Sc. I'm oat of patience.
Ant. We're meerly cheated of our lives by drunkards.
This wide-Chopt raſcal would, thou might' lie drowning,
1

The TEMPEST. 5

The waſhing of ten tides !
Gonz. He'll be hang'd yet,
Though every drop of water ſwear againſt it,

And gape at wid'ſt to glut him. LS!

[ 4 confuſed noiſe within.) Mercy on us!
We ſplit, we ſplit! Farewel, my Wife and Children!
Brother, farewel ! we ſplit, we ſplit, we ſplit !
Ant. Let's all fink with the King. [Exit.
Seb. Let's take leave of him. [ Exit.
Gonz. Now would I give a thouſand furlongs of fea,
for an acre of barren ground ; long heath, brown furze,
any thing ; ---- the wills above be done, but I would
fain die a dry death!

SCENE changes to a Part of the Inchanted and,
near the Cell of Proſpero.

Enter Proſpero and Miranda.

Mira. If by your art (my deareſt father) you have
Put the wild Waters in this roar, allay them:
The sky, it ſeems, would poor down itinking pitch,
But that the ſea, mounting to th' welkin's cheek,
Daſhes the fire out. Oh! I have ſuffer'd
With thoſe that I ſaw ſuffer ; a brave veſſel
(Who had, no doubt, ſome noble creatures in her)
Daſh'd all to pieces. O] the cry did knock
Againſt my very heart: poor fouls, they periſh'd !
Had I been any God of Pow'r, I would
Have ſunk the ſea within the earth ; or ere
It ſhou!d the good ſhip ſo have {wallow'd, and
The fraighting ſouls within her.

Pro. Be collected;
No more amazement ; tell your piteous heart,
'There's no harm done. |

Mira. O wo the day !

Pro. No harm.
I have done nothing but in care of thee,
(Of thee my dear one, thee my daughter) who
Art ignorant of what thou art, nought knowing
Ot whence I am; nor that I am more better
Than Praſpero, maſter of a full poor cell,
And thy no greater father. |

A 3 Mira,

6 The TEMPEST.

Mira. More to know
Did never meddle with my *
Pro. Tis time,
J ſhould inform thee farther. Lend thy hand,
And pluck my magick garment from me: ſo! 1
[ Lays down his mantle.
Lie there my Art. Wipe thou thine eyes, have comfort.
The direful ſpectacle of the wrack, which touch'd
The very virtue of compaſſion in thee,
I have with ſuch proviſion in mine art
So ſafely order'd, that there is no foyle,
No not {o much perdition as an hair
Betide to any creature in the Veſſel]
Which thou heard'ſt cry, which thou ſaw'ſt fink: fit down,
For thou muſt know farther,
Mira. You have often
Begun to tell me what I am, but ſtopt,
And left me to a bootleſs inquiſition
Concluding, Stay; not jet.
Pro. The hour's now come,
The very minute bids thee ope thine ear ;
Obey, and be attentive. Canſt thou remember
A time, before we came unto this cell ? |
I do not think, thou canſt ; for then thou waſt not
Out three years old.
Mira. Certainly, Sir, I can.
Pro. By what ? by any other houſe, or perſon ?
Of any thing the image tell me, that
Hath kept in thy remembrance.
Mira. Tis far off:
And rather like a dream, than an aſſurance
That my remembrance warrants. Had ] not
Four. or five women, once, that attended me ?
Pro- Thou hadſt, and more, Miranda: but how is it,
That this lives in thy mind? what ſeeſt thou elſe
In the dark backward and aby ſme of time?
If thou remember'ſt ought, ere thou cam'ſt here:
How thou cam'ſt here, thou may'ſt.
Mita. But that I do not.
Pyo.* Tis twelve years ſince, Miranda; twelve years ſince,
Tir» father was the Duke of Milan, and
4 Vince o Power,

Mira.

The TEMPEST.

Mira. Sir, are not you my father ?
Pro. Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and
She ſaid, thou waſt my daughter; and thy Father
Was Duke of Milan, and his only heir
A Princeſs, no worſe iſſu'd.
Mira. O the heavens !
What foul play had we, that we came from thence :
Or bleſſed was't we did?
Pro. Both, both, my girl :
By foul play (as thou ſay'it) were we heav'd thence ;

But bleſſedly help'd hither.

Mira. O my heart bleeds

To think o'th* teene that I have turn'd you to.

Which is from my remembrance. - Pleaſe you, farther.
Pro. My brother, and thy uncle, call'd Antonio

I pray thee, mark me; (that a brother ſhould

Be ſo perfidious !) he whom next thyſelf

Of all the world I lov'd, and to him put

The manage of my ſtate ; (as, at that time,

Through all the ſignories it was the firſt ;

And Proſpero the prime Duke, being ſo reputed

In dignity ; and for the liberal arts,

Without a parellel; thoſe being all my ſtudy :)

The government I caſt upon my brother,

And to my ſtate grew ſtranger ; being tranſported.

And wrapt in ſecret ſtudies. Thy falſe uncle

(Doſt thou attend me ?) .

Mira. Sir, moſt heedfully.
Pro. Being once perfected how to grant ſuits,

How to deny them; whom t advance, and whom

To traſh for over-topping ; new created

The creatures, that were mine; I ſay, or chang'd em,

Or elſe new form'd 'em ; having both the key

Of officer and office, ſet all hearts th* ſtate

To what tune pleas'd his ear, that now he was

The ivy, which had hid my princely trunk,

And ſuck' d my verdure out ont. Thou attend'ſt not.
Mira. Good Sir, I do, | 30Y
Pro. I pray thee, mark me then.

Is thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated

To cloſeneſs, and the bettering of my mind,

With that which, but by being ſo retired, _

A 4 O'er

2 The TEMPEST.

O'er priz d all popular rate, in my falſe brother
Awak'd an evil nature; and my truſt

Like a good parent, did beget of him

A falſehood in its contrary, as great

As my truſt was; which had, indeed, no limit,
A confidence /ans bound. He being thus lorded
Not only with what my revenue yielded,
But what my power might elſe exact; like one,
Who having into truth, by telling of it,

Made ſuch a ſinner of his memory,

To credit his own lie, he did believe .
He was indeed the Duke ; from ſubſtitution,
And executing th' outward face of royalty,

With all prerogative. Hence his ambition growing —
Doſt thou hear? 7

Mira. Your tale, Sir, would cure deafneſs.

Pro. To have no ſcreen between this part he plaid, |

And him he plaid it for, he needs ul be
Abſolute Milan. Me, poor man;

my library

Was Dukedom large enough; of temporal royalties

He thinks me now incapable : confederates

(So dry he was for ſway) with th' King of Naples

To give him annual tribute, do him homage;

Subject his coronet to his crown; and bend

The Dukedom, yet unbow'd, (alas, poor Milan ])

To moſt ignoble ſtooping. fe
Mira. O the heav'ns! 5

Pro, Mark his condition, and th' event; then tell me,

If this might be a Brother ?
» Mira. 1 ſhould ſin, 8

To think but nobly of my grand- mother;

Good wombs have bore bad ſons.

Pro. Now the condition:

This King of Naples, being an enemy

To me inveterate, hearks my brother's ſuit ;
Which was, that he in lieu o'th* premiſes, -
Of homage, and I know not how much tribute,
Should preſently extirpate me am mine
Out of the Dukedom ; and confer fair Milan,

. With all the honours, on my brother. Whereon
A treacherous army levy'd, one mid-night
Fated to th* purpoſe, did A4nthonzo open

*

The TEMP ETS.

The gates of Milan; and, i'th' dead of darkneſs,
The miniſters for th* purpoſe hurry'd there
Me, and thy crying ſelf.
Mira. Alack, for pity !
I, not remembring how I cry'd out then,
Will cry it o'er again; it is a hint,
That wrings mine eyes to't.

Pro. Hear a little further,

And then I'Il bring thee to the preſent buſineſs.
Which now's upon's, without the which this f ory
Were moſt impertinent.

Mira. Why did they not
That hour deſtroy us?

Pro. Well demanded, wench; , |
My tale provokes that queſtion. Dear, they dur! not
(So dear the love my people bore me 3) ſet
A mark ſo bloody on the buſineſs ; but
With colours fairer painted their foul ends.

In few, they hurry'd us aboard a bark;

Bore us ſome leagues to ſea ; where they prepar'd
A rotten carcaſs of a boat, not rigg'd,

Nor tackle, fail, nor maſt; the very rats
Inſtinctively had quit it: there they hoiſt us

To cry to th' ſea, that roar'd to us; to ſigh

To th' winds, whole pity, fighing back again,
Did us but loving wrong. [ ER.

Mira. Alack ! what trouble
Was I then to you?

Pro, O! a Cherubim
Thou waſt, that did preſerve me. Thou didſt ſmile,
Infuſed with a fortitude ſrom heav'n,

(When I have deck'd the ſea with drops full falt ;]
Under my burthen groan'd ;) which rais'd in me
An undergoing ſtomach, to bear up

Againſt what ſhould enſue.

Mira. How came we a-ſhore ?

Pro, By providence divine.

Some food we had, ang ſome freſh water, that
A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo,

Out of his charity (being then appointed
Maſter of this deſign) did give us, with

Rich garments, linnens, Rutts, and necetfiries,

Ag: Which

10 The TEMPEST

Which ſince have ſteeded much. So of his gentleneſs,
Knowing I lov'd my books, he furniſh'd me
From my own library, with volumes that
I prize above my Dukedom.
Mira. Would I might
But ever ſee that man!
Fro. Now, 1:
Sit ſtill and hear the laſt of our ſea ſorrow.
Here in this iſland we arriv'd, and here
Have I, thy ſchool-maſter, made thee more profit
'Than other Princeſs can, that have more time
For vainer hours, and tutors not ſo careful.
Mira. Heav*ns thank you for't! And now, I pray you,
Sir,
(For ſtill tis beating in my mind) your reaſon
For raiſing this Tea-ftorm ? /
Pro. Know thus far forth ;
By accident moſt ſtrange, bountiful fortune -
(Now my dear lady) hath mine enemies
Brought to this ſhore : and, by my preſcience
I find, my Zenith doth depend upon
A moſt auſpicious ſtar ; whoſe influence
If now I court not, but omit, my fortunes
Will ever after droop— Here ceaſe more queſtions z
Thou art inclin'd tofleep. *Tis à good dulneſs,
And give it way; I know, thou can ſt not chjſe —— -
[Miranda feeepr,
Come away, ſervant, come ; I'm ready now : |
Approach, my Ariel. Come. |
| Enter Ariel.
Ari. All hail, great maſter! grave Sir, hail! I come
To anſwer thy beſt pleaſure : Be't to fly;
To ſwim ; todive into the fire; to ride
On thecurl'd clouds: to thy ſtrong bidding task
Ariel, and all his qualities,
Pro. Haſt thou, ſpirit, |
Perform'd to point the tempeſt that I bad thee ?
Ari. To every Article. |
J boarded the King's ſhip : now on the beak,
Now in the waſte, the deck, in every cabin,
I flam'd amazement. Sometimes, Id divide,
' And burn in many places; on the top-maſt,

The -

—

1efs,

& -
—

The TEMPEST. II
The yards, and bblt-ſprit, would I flame diſtinctiy;
Then meet and join. Jove's lightnings, the precurſors
Of dreadful thunder-clups, more momentary
And fight out-running were not; the fire and cracks
Of ſulphurous roaring the moſt mighty Neptune
Seem'd to beſiege, and make his bold waves tremble z
Yea, his dread trident ſhake. X

Pro. My brave, brave ſpirit! wy
Who was ſo'firm, ſo conſtant, that this coyl
Would not infect his reaſon ?

Ari. Not a ſoul
But felt a fever of the-mind, and plaid
Some tricks of deſperation : all, but mariners,
Plung'd in the foaming brine, and quit the veſlel,
Then all a-fire with me: the King's ſon Ferdinand
With hair up-ſtarting (then like reeds, not hair)
Was the firſt man, that leap'd ; cry'd, “hell is empty;
& And all the devils are here.

Pro. Why, that's my Spirit !
But was not this nigh ſhore?

Ari. Cloſe by, my maſter.

Pro. But are they, Ariel, ſafe ?

Pro. Not a hair periſh'd :
On their ſuſtaining garments not a blemiſh,
But freſher than before. And as thou badſt me,
In troops I have diſpers'd them bout the iſle :
'The King's ſon have I landed by himſelf,
Whom I left cooling of the air with fighs,
In an odd angle of the iſle, and fitting,
His arms in this fad Knot.

Pro, Of the King's ſhip, 2
The mariners, fay how thou haſt diſpos d,
And all the reſt o'th' fleet ? |

Ari. Safely in harbour |
Is the King's ſhip ; in the deep nook, where ance
Thou call'ſt me up at midnight, to fetch dew
From the ſtill-vext Bermudas, there ſhe's hid:
The mariners are under hatches ſtow'd,
Who, with a charm join'd to their ſuffer'd labour,
P'veleft afleep ; and for the reſt o'th* fleet
(Which 1 diſpers'd) they all have met again,
And are upon the Mediterranean float,

12 The TEMPEST
| Bound ſadly home for Naples;
Suppoßing. that they ſaw the King's ſhip wrackt
And his great perſon periſh.
Pro. Ariel, thy charge
Exactly is perform'd ; but there's more work:
W hat is the time o'th' day?
Ari. Paſt the mid ſeaſon; |
Pro. At leaſt two glaſſes ; the time *twixt fix and now
Moſt by us both be ſpent moſt preciouſly. f |
Ari. Is there more toil ? ſince thou deſt give me pains,
Let me remember thee what thou haſt promis d.

1
Which is not yet perform'd me. T

Pro. How now ? Moody ? /
What is't thou can'ſt demand? f

Ari, My liberty. | F:

Pro. Before the time be out? no more. (

Ari. I pr ythee, ; /
Remember, I have done thee worthy ſervice ; ' 4
Told thee no lies, made no miſtakings, ſerv'd
Without or grudge, or grumblings ; thou did'ſt promiſe
To bate me a full year: | no

Pro. Doſt thou forget | * i
From what a torment I did free thee ? N | ]

Ari. No. | (

Pro. Thou doſt, and think'ſt it much to tread the 00z6 y
Of the ſalt deep? | | (
To run upon the ſharp Wind of the North; ,
To do me buſineſs in the veins o'th' earth, ;
When it is bak'd with froſt. |
Fi. I do not, Sir. . EN.

Pro. Thou ly'ſt, malignant thing: haſt thou forget .
The foul witch Sycorax, who with age and envy : ;
Was grown intoa hcop? haſt thou forgot her ?

Ari. No, Sir. K

Pro Thou haſt : where was ſhe born ? ſpeak; tell me.
Ari. Sir, in Argier. ©
Pro. Oh, was ſhe ſo? I muſt |
Once in a month recount what thou haſt been,
Which thou forget'ſt. This damn'd witch Sycorax,.
For miſchiefs manifold and ſcorceries terrible
To enter human hearing, from Argier, |
Thou know'ſt, was baniſh'd ; for one thing ſhe —_ |
' ey

—

The TEMPEST. 13

hey would not take her Life. Is not this true?
Ari. Ay, Sir.
Pro. This blue-ey'd hag hither brought with Child
And here was left by th' failors ; thou, my flave,
\s thou report'ſt thyſelf, waſt then her ſervant.
And, for thou waſt a ſpirit too delicate
o act her earthy and abhorr'd commands,
Refuſing her grand heſts, ſhe did confine thee,
By help of her more potent miniſters,
And in her moſt unmitigable rage,
Into a cloven pine ; within which rift
Impiſon'd, thou didſt painfully remain
A dozen Years, within which ſpace ſhe dy'd,
And left thee there: Where thou didſt vent thy groans,
As faſt as mill-wheels ſtrike. Then was this Ifland
(Save for the ſon that ſhe did litter here,
A freckled whelp, hag-born) not honour'd with
A human ſhape.

Ari. Yes; Caliban her ſon,

Pro. Dull thing, I fay ſo: He, that Caliban,
Whom now I keep in ſervice. Thou beſt know'ſt,
What torment I did find thee in ; thy groans
Did make wolves how], and penetrate the breaſts
Of ever-angry bears ; it was a torment
To lay-upon the damn'd, which Sycorax
Could not again undo : It was mine art,

When I arriv'd and heard thee, that * gape
The pine, and let thee out.

Ari. I thank thee, maſter.

Pro. If thou more murmur'ſt, T will rend an Oak,
And peg thee in his knotty entrails, till
Thou'ſt howl'd away twelve winters.

Ari. Pardon, maſter
J will be correſpondent to command,

And do my ſp'riting gently.
Pro. Do fog And after two days
I will diſcharge thee.

Ari. That's my noble maſter:

What ſhall I do? fay what ? what ſhall I do ?

P?s, Go make thyſelf like to a nymph oth lea,
Be ſubje& to no ſight but mine: Inviſible
To every eye-ball elſe. Go take this ſhape,

And

14 The TEMPEST.

And hither come in it: Go hence with diligence.

Awake, dear heart, awake ! thou haſt ſlept well:

Awake
Mira. The ſtrangeneſs of your ſtory put

Heavineſs in me.

Pro. Shake it off: Come on;
We'll viſit Caliban my flave, who never
Yields us kind anſwer.

Mira. Tis a villain, Sir,

I do not love to look on
Pro. But, as tis,

We cannot miſs him: He does make our fire,

Fetch in our Wood, and ſerves in Offices

That profit us. What hoa | ſlave! Caliban!

Thou earth, thou! ſpeak. |
Cal. (within.) There's Wood enough within.

Pro. Come forth, I ſay; there's other buſineſs for thee.

Come, thou Tortoiſe ! when

| Euter Ariel like a Water-Nymph.

Fine apparition ! my quaint Ariel,

Hark in thine ar. | |
Ari. My lord, it ſhall be done. [Exit.
Pro. Thou poiſonous ſlave, got by the Devil himſelf

Upon thy A dam: Come forth.

| Enter Caliban.

Cal. As wicked dew, as e er my mother bruſh'd

With raven's feather from unwholeſome fen,

Drop on you both! a ſouth weſt blow on ye,

And' bliſter you-all o'er ! |
Pra. For this, be ſure, to night thou ſhalt have cramps,

Side-ſtitches that ſhall pen thy breath up; urchins

Shall, for that vaſt of night that they may work,

All exerciſe on thee : thou ſhalt be pinch'd

As thick as honey combs, each pinch more Ringing

Than bees that made em.
Cal. I muſt eat my dinner.

This Iſland's mine by Syceraæ my mother.

Which thou tak'ſt from me. When thou cameſt firſt,

Thou ſtroak dſt me, and mad'ſt much of me; would'ſt

give me

Wait with-berries-in't; and teach me how

*

To

- —

|

riel.

mps,

ſt,
ald"ſt

4

The TEMPEST. , 15

To name the bigger light, and how the leſs,

That burn by day and night: And then I lov'd thee,
And ſhew'd thee all the qualities o'th' Ifle,

The freſh ſprings, brine pits ; barren place, and fertile,

Curs'd be I, that I did fo! all the charms |
Of Sycorax, toads, beetles, bats light on you!
For I am all the ſubjects that you have,
Who firſt was. my own King ; and here you ſty me
In this hard rock, whilſt you do keep from me
The reſt of the Iſland.

Pro. Thou moſt lying ſlave,
Whom ſtripes may move, not kindneſs ; I have us'd thee
(Filth as thou art) with humane care, and lodg'd
In mine own Cell, till thou didſt ſeek to violate
The honour of my child.

Cal. Oh ho, oh ho! —I wou'd, it had been done
Thou didſt prevent me, I had peopled elſe
This Iſle with Ca/ibans.

Pre. Abhorred ſlave ;
Which any print of goodneſs wilt not take.
Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee,
Took pains to make thee ſpeak, taught thee each hour
One thing or other, When thou didit not, ſavage, |
Know thine own meaning, but would'ſt gabble like
A thing moſt brutiſh, I endow'd thy ' purpoſes |
With words that made them known. But thy vile race
(Tho' thou didſt learn) had that in't, which good natures

Cou'd not abide to be with; therefore waſt thou

Deſervedly confin'd into this rock,
Who hadſt deſerved more than a priſon
Cal. Vou taught me language, and my profit on't
Is, I know how to curſe: the red plague rid you,
For learning me your language
Pro. Hag: ſeed, hence! |
Fetch us in Fewel, and-be quick (thou wer't beſt)
To anſwer other buſineſs. Shrug'it thou, malice ?
If thou neglect'ſt or doſt unwillingly
What I cammand, P'll rack thee with old cramps,

Fill all thy bones with aches, make thee roar,

That beafts ſhall tremble at thy din,
Cal. No, pray thee. *
1 mult obey S dis art is of ſuch pow'r, 1
| | t

16 The TEMPEST. '

It would controul my dam's good Setebos,
And make a vaſſal of him. #...*,

Pro. So, ſlave, hence! [Exit Caliban.
Enter Ferdinand; and Ariel invifible, playing and finging.

ARIELs SONG.

Come unto theſe yellow ſands,
And then take hands : |
Curt fied when you have, and ki
The — pts; abt; *
Foot it feathy here and there,
Ana, feet ſprites, the burthen bear. |
| it; [Burthen diſperſedly.
Hark, hart, bough-wawyh : The watch dogs bark,
Bough-wagh. |
Ari. Hark, bart, I hear
The ftrain of ftrutting chanticlere
. Cry, cock-a-doodle-do.

Fer. Where ſhould this muſick be, in air, or earth?
It ſounds no more: And, ſure, it waits upon
Some God o'th* Iſland. Sitting on a bank,
Weeping againſt the King my father's wreck,
This muſick crept by me upon the waters;
Allaying both their fury and my paſſion, Pe
With its ſweet air; thence I have follow'd it,
Or it hath drawn me rather but tis gone.
No, it begins again. |

| AIXIE L's SONG.

Full fatbom five thy father lies,

G his * are — made.
Thoſe are pearl, that were his eyes 3
| Nothing of him, that doth fade,

But doth ſuffer a ſca- change,

Into ſomething rich and ſtrange.
Sea nymphs hourly ring his &nell. |
Hark, now I hear them, ding-dong, bell. 2

aq n . .. [Burthen : ding - dong

bl

Fer. The ditty does remember my drown'd father;
This is no mortal buſineſs ; nor no ſound ©

That the earth owns; I hear it now above mm.

t

po of

$a. 3 Ak fl fnjoan” fd wr om

»”

Las *

The TEMPEST. 17

Pro. The fringed curtains of thine eyes advance,
And ſay, what thou ſeeſt yonxd.
an. Mira. What ist, a ſpirit?
12 Lord, how it looks about! believe me, Sir,

lt carries a brave form. But tis a ſpirit.

Pro. No, wench, it eats, and ſleeps, and hath ſuch ſenſe
As we have, ſuch. This gallant, which thou ſeeſt,
Was in the wreck : And, but he's ſomething ftain'd
With grief, (that's beauty's canker) thou might'ſt call him
A goodly perſon. He hath loſt his fellows,

And ſtrays about to find *em.
| Mira. I might call him
ly. A thing divine; fon nothing natural
Jever ſaw ſo noble.
Pro. It goes on, I ſee. | [ fide.
As my ſoul prompts it. Spirit, fine ſpirit, I'll free thee
Within two days for this.
Fer. Moſt ſure, the Goddeſs :
On whom theſe ayres attend! vouchſafe, my pray'r
? May know, if you remain upon this Ifland ;
And that you will ſome good inſtruction give,
How I may bear me here: My prime requeſt
(Which I do laſt pronouce) is, O you wonder
If you be maid or no?
Mira. No wonder, Sir,
But certainly a maid.
Fer. My language ! heavens !
I am the beſt of them that ſpeak this ſpeech,
Were I but where 'tis ſpoken.
Pro, How ? the belt ? |
What wert thou, if the King of Naples heard thee ?
Fer. A ſingle thing, as I am now, that wonders
To. hear thee ſpeak of Naples, He does hear me ;
And, that he does, I weep : myſelf am Naples,
Who, with mine eyes (ne'er ſince at ebb) beheld
The King my father wrackt.
Mira. Alack, for mercy! !
Fer. Yes, faith, and all his lords: The Duke of Milan,
18 And his brave ſon, being twain.
Pro. The Duke of Milan,

And his more braver daughter, could dontroul thee,

If now were fit to de't:; —At the firſt ſight,
| | They

18 The TEMPEST.

They have chang'd eyes, (delicate Ariel
I' ſet thee free for this.) A word, good Sir,
I fear you've done yourſelf ſome wrong: A word.—
Mira. Why ſpeaks my father ſo ungently ? this
Is the third man, that I e'er ſaw ; the firſt
That e'er I ſigh'd for. Pity move my father
To be. inclin'd my way !
Fer. O, if a Virgin.
And your Affection not gone forth, I'll make you
The Queen of Naples.
Pro. Soft, Sir, one word INOVE, mano
They re both in either's power: but this-ſwift buſmeſs
J muſt uneaſy make, leſt too light winning
Make the prize light. Sir, one word more ; I charge-thee,
That thou attend me: Thou doſt here uſurp
The name thou ow'ſt not, and haſt put thy felf
Upon this Iſland, as a ſpy, to win it
From me, the lord on't.
Fer. No, as I'm a man

Mira. There's nothing ill can dwell in ſuch a temple. -

If the ill ſpirit have ſo fair an houſe,
Good things will ſtrive to dwell with't.
Pro. Follow me——
Speak not you for him : He's a traitor. Come,
Fil manacle thy neck and feet together;
Sea-water ſhalt thou drink ; thy food ſhall be
The freſh brook muſſels, withered roots, and husks
Wherein the acorn cradled. Follow,
Fer. No, |
I will reſiſt ſuch entertainment, "till
Mine enemy has more power.
He draws, and is 22 rom modding
Mira. O dear — *
Make not too raſh a tryal of him; for
He's gentle, and not fearful.
Pro. What, I ſay,
My foot my tutor ? put thy ſword up, traitor,
Who mak'ſt a ſhew, but dar'ſt not ſtrike ; thy conſcience
Is ſo poſſeſt with guilt: Come from thy ward,
For I can here diſarm thee with this ſtick,
And make weapon drop. |
Mira.

a a So ton S fold UUW . A Gadd fm i. «+4 - %. 3 WH. fy, 0 —

a ang

The TEMPEST. 19

Mira. Beſcech you, father.
Pro. Hence: Hang not on my garment.
Mira. Sir, have pity ;
I'll be his ſurety. |
Pre. Silence: One word more |
Shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee, What,
An advocate for an impoſtor? huſh !
Thou think'ſt there are no more ſuch ſhapes as he,
Having ſeen but him and Caliban; fooliſh wench ! .
To th moſt of men this is a Caliban,
And they to him are Angels.
Mira. My afteftions
Are then moſt humble : I have no ambition
To ſee a goodlier man.
Pro, Come on, obey;
Thy nerves are in their infancy again,
And have no vigour in them.
Fer. So they are: |
My ſpir Its, as ina dream, are all bound up.
My father's loſs, the weakneſs which J feel,
The wrack of all my friends, and this man's threats,
To whom I am ſubdu'd, are but light to me;
Might I but through my priſon once a day
Behold this maid : All Corners elſe o'th* earth
Let liberty make uſe of ; ſpace enough
Have I, in ſuch a priſon.
Pro. Tt works : Come on
(Thou haft done well, fine Miel: follow me.
Hark, what thou elſe: ſhalt do me. [To Ariel
* Mira. Be of comfort,
My father's of a better nature, Sir,
Than he appears by ſpeech : This is unwonted,
Which now came from him.
Pro. Thou ſhalt be as free
As mountain winds ; but then exactly do
All points of my command.
Ari. To thy ſyllable.
Pro, Come, follow : Speak not for him [Exe.

ACT

20 The TEMPEST.

CT 18
SCENE, Another Part of the Iſland.

Enter Alonſo, Sebaſtian, -Anthonio, Gonzalo,. Adrian,
Franciſco, and others.

Gon. Eſeech you, Sir, be merry: vou have cauſe

(So have we all) of joy ! for our eſcape
Is much beyond our loſs ; our hint of woe

Is common; every day, ſome ſailor's wife,

'The matters of ſome merchant, and the merchant,
Have juſt our theam of woe: but for the miracle,
(I mean our preſervation) few in millions

Can ſpeak like us: Then wiſely, good Sir, weigh
Our Sorrow with our comfort. 2

Alon. Pr'ythee, peace. a

Seb. He receives comfort like cold porridge.

Ant. The viſitor wi J not give ver ſo.

Seb. Look, he's winding up the watch of his wit, by
and by it will ſtrike. |

Gon, Sir.———

Seb. One: Te]. —

Gon, When every grief! is entertain d, that's offer d;
comes to the entertainer
Seb. A dollor.

Con. Dolour comes to him, indeed; you a have ſpoken

truer than you propoſed.
- Seb. You have taken it wiſelier than I meant you ſhould,

Gon. Therefore, my lord...

Ant. Fie, what a 1 is he of his tongue ?

Alon. I pr'ythee, ſpare

Gon. Well, I have — But yet y

Seb. He will be talking.

Ant. Which of them, he, or Adrian, for a good wager,
firſt begins to crow ?

Seb. The old Cock.

Ant. The cockrel.

Seb. Done: The wager ?

Antl A laughter.

Seb. A match.

te

1
-

J.

ian

Adr.
Seb. Ha, ha, ha.
Aar.

The TEMPEST. 21

Though this iſland ſeem to be deſart
So, you're paid
Uninhabitable, and almoſt inacceſible———

Seb. vet.

Seb.

Ant.

Aar. Yet

Art. He could not miſs t.

Adr. It muſt needs be of ſubtle, tender, and delicate
temperance.

Ant. Temperance was a delicate wench.

Seb. Ay, and a ſubtle, as he moſt learnedly deliver'd.
Aar. The air breathes upon us here moſt ſweetly,
Ant. As if it had lungs, and rotten ones.

Ant. Or, as twere perfum'd by a fen.
Gon. Here is every thing advantageous to life.

True, fave means to live.

. Of that there's none or little. |

How luſh and luſty the graſs looks? how green?
Ant.

The ground indeed is tawny.

With an eye of green in't.

He miſſes not much.

Seb. No: he does but miſtake the truth totally.

Gon. But the rarity of it is, which is indeed almoſt be-
yond credit |

Seb. As many voucht rarities are. PR

Gen. That our garments being (as they were) drench'd
in the ſea, hold notwithſtanding their freſhneſs and gloſ-
ſes; being rather new dy'd, than ſtain'd with ſalt water.

Ant. It but one of his pockets could ſpeak, would it
not ſay, he lies?

Seb. Ay, or very falſely pocket up his report.

Gon, Methinks, our garments are now as treſh as when
we put them on firſt in 4frich, at the marriage of the
King's fair Daughter C/arib/e to the King of Tunis.

Seb. Twas a ſweet marriage, and we proſper well in
our return.

Adr. Tunis was never grac'd before with ſuch a para-
gon to their Queen. |

Gon. Not ſince widow Di#av's time. |

Ant. Widow? a pox o'that: how came that widow
in? widow Dias? oF | IS

Seb. What if he had faid, widower Æneas too?
Good lord, how you take it !
| Aar.

22 The TEMPEST.

Ard. Widow Dido, ſaid you? you make me ſtudy of
that: She was of Carthage not of Tunis.
Gen. This Tunis, Sir, was Carthage.
Adr. Carthage ?
Gor. I aſſure you, Carthage,
Ant. His word is more than the miraculous harp.
Seb. He hath rais'd the wall, and houſes too.
Ant. What impoſſible matter will he make eaſy next!
Seb, I think he will carry this Iſland home in his poc-
ket, and give it his ſon for an apple.
Ant. And ſowing the kernels of it in the ſea, bring
forth more Iflands. |
Gon. Ay. |
Ant. Why, in good time. |
Gon. Sir, we were talking, that our garments ſeem now
as freſh, as when we were at Tunis, at the marriage of
your daughter, who is now Queen. |
Ant. And the rareſt that e'er came there.
Seb. Bate, I beſtech you, widow Diab.
Ant. O, widow Dido ! ay, widow Dido
Gor. Is not my doublet, Sir, as freſh as the firſt day
TI wore it? I mean, in a fort. | |
Ant. That ſort was well fiſh'd for.
Gen. When I wore it at your daughter's marriage.
Alon. You cram theſe words into mine ears againſt
The ſtomach of my ſenſe. Would I had never
Married my daughter there! for coming thence,
My ſon is loſt; and, in my rate, ſhe too;
Who is ſo far from [taly remov'd, |
I ne'er again ſhall ſee her: O thou mine heir
Of Naples and of Milan, what ſtrange fiſh
Hath made his meal on thee ?
Fran. Sir, he may live. ]
I ſaw him beat the ſurges under him, | |
And ride upon their backs ; he trod the water ; ]
Whoſe enmity he flung aſide, and breaſted |
The ſurge moſt ſwoln that met him : his bold head |
]
4

*Bove the contentious waves he kept, and oar'd
Himſelf with his good arms in luſty ſtrokes

To the ſhore ; that o'er his wave-worn baſis bow'd,

He came alive to land. 2

—

The TEMPEST. 23

Alon. No, no, he's gone.

Seb. Sir, yon may thank yourſelf for this great loſs.
That wou'd not bleſs our Europe with your Daughter,
But rather loſe her to an African ;

Where ſhe, at leaſt, is baniſh'd from your eye,

dy of

. Who hath cauſe to wet the grief on't.
Alon. Pr'ythee, peace.
ext? Seb. You were kneel'd to, and importuned otherwie

poc- By all of us; and the fair ſoul herſelf
Weigh'd between loathneſs and obedience, at
Which end the beam ſhould bow. We've loſt your ſon,
I fear,. for ever, Milan and Naples have
More widows in them of this buſineſs making,
Than we bring men to comfort them:
The fault's your own.
Alon. So is the deareſt o' th' loſs.
Gon. My lord Sebaſtian,
The truth you ſpeak, doth lack ſome gentleneſs,
And time to ſpeak it in: You ruh the tore,
When you ſhould bring the plaiſter,
Seb. Very well.
Ant. And moſt chirurgeonly.
Gon. It is foul: weather in us all, ; good Sir,
When you are cloudy.
; Seb. Foul weather?
| Ant. Very foul.
Gon. Had I the plantation of this ile, my *
Ant. He'd ſow't with nettle ſeed.
Seb. Or docks, or mallows.
Con. And were the King on't, what would I- do?
Seb. Scape being drunk, for want of wine.
Gon. I'th' commonwealch, I would by contraries
Execute all things; for no kind of traflick
Would I admit ; no name of magiſtrate;
Letters ſhould not be known ; wealth, poverty,
And uſe of ſervice, none; contract, ſucceſſion ;
Bourn, bound of land, tilth, vineyard, none;
No uſe of metal, corn, or wine, or oyl;
No occupation, all men idle, all,
And women too; bat innocent and pure:
No Sovereignty.
. Seb. And yet he would be King ont.
3

in _.

24 The TEMPEST.

Ant. The latter end of his commonwealth forgets the
beginning.

Gon. All things in common nature ſhould produce,
Without ſweat or endeavour, treaſon, felony,
Sword, pike, knife, gun, or need of any engine,
Would I not have, but nature ſhould bring forth,
Of its own kind, all foyſon, all abundance
To feed my innocent people.

Seb. No marrying mong his ſubjects?

Ant. None, man; all idle; whores and knaves.

Gon. I would with ſuch perfection govern, Sir,
T' excel the golden age.

Seb. Save his Majeſty !

Ant. Long live Gonzalo !

Gon. And, do you mark me, Sir?

Alon. Pr'ythee no more; thou doſt talk nothing to me.

Gon. I do well believe your Highneſs ; and did it to mi-
niſter occafion to theſe gentlemen, who are of ſuch ſenſible
and nimble lungs, that they always uſe to laugh at nothing.

Ant. Twas you we laugh'd at.

Gon. Who, in this kind of merry fooling, am nothing
to you: So you may continue, and laugh at nothing till.

Ant. What a blow was there given ?

Seb. An it had not fallen flat-!ong.

Gor. You are gentlemen of brave metal; you would

lift the moon out of her ſphere, if ſhe would continue in

it five Weeks without changing.
Enter Ariel, playing” ſolemn Muſick

Seb. We would ſo, and then go a bat-fowling.

Ant. Nay, my good ord, be not angry.

Gen. No, I warrant you, I will not adventure my dV.
cretion ſo weakly : Will you laugh me aſleep, for I am
very heavy?

Ant. Go, ſleep, and hear us.

Alon. What, all ſo ſoon aſleep ? I wiſh, mine eyes
Would with themſelves ſhut up my thoughts : I find,
They are inclin'd to do ſo.

Seb. Pleaſe you, Sir:

Do not omit the heavy offer of it:
It ſeldom viſits ſorrow; when it doth,
It is a comforter.

l

the

Ant.

The TEMPEST. 25
Ant. We two, my lord,

Will guard your perſon, while you take your reſt,
And watch your ſafety. ä

Alon. Thank you: wondrous heavy.
All aſſeep but Seb. and Ant.

Seb. What a ſtrange drowſineſs poſſeſſes them?

Ant. It is the quality o'th* climate,

Seb. Why,
Doth it not then our eye-lids ſink ? I find not
Myſelf diſpes'd to ſleep.

Ant. Nor I, my ſpirits are nimble :
They fell together all as by conſent,
They dropt as by a thunder-ſtroke. What might
Worthy Sebaſfian— O, what might——no more,
And yet, methinks, I ſee it in thy face,
What thou ſhouldſt be: th' occaſion ſpeaks thee, and
My ſtrong imagination ſees a crown |
— upon thy head.

Seb. What, art thou waking ?

Ant. Do you not hear me ſpeak ?

Seb. I do; and ſurely, |
It is a fleepy language; and thou ſpeak'ſt
Out of thy fleep ; what is it thou did'ſt ſay ?
This 1s a ſtrange repoſe, to be aſleep |
With eyes wide open: ſtanding, ſpeaking, moving;
And yet ſo faſt aſleep. a a

Ant. Noble Sebaſtian, |
Thou let'ſt thy fortune ſleep : die rather: wink'>,
Whilſt thou art waking.

Seb. Thou doſt ſnore diſtinctly;
There's meaning in thy ſnores.

Ant. I am more ſeriqus than my cuſtom. You
Muſt be ſo too, if heed me ; which to do,
Trebles thee o'er.

Seb. Well: I am flanding water.

Aut. T'll teach you how to flow,

Seb, Do ſo; to ebb
Hereditary ſloth inſtructs me.

Ant. O!
If you but knew, how you the purpoſe cheriſh,
Whilſt thus you mock it ; how, in ſtripping it,
Vou more inveſt it: ebbing * indeed,

Rſoſt

—
— a, —

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26 The TEMPEST

Moſt often do ſo near the bottom run,
By their own fear or ſloth. —

Seb. Pr'y thee, ſay on;
The ſetting of thine eye and cheek proclaim
A matter from thee ; and a birth, indeed,
Which throes thee much to yield.

Ant. Thus, Sir:
Although this lord of weak remembrance, this,
(Who ſhall be of as little memory,

When he's earth'd ;) hath here almoſt perſuaded

(For he's a ſpirit of perſuaſion, only |
Profeſſes to perſuade) the King, his ſon's alive;
Tis as impoſſible that he's undrown'd,
As he, that ſleeps here, ſwims.

Seb. IJ have no hope,
That he's undrown'd.

Ant. O, out of that no hope,

What great hope have you ? no hope, that way, is

Another way ſo high an hope, that even
Ambition cannot pierce a wink beyond,

But'doubt diſcovery there. Will you grant, with me, |

That Ferdinand is drown'd ?

Seb. He's gone. |

Ant. Then tell me |
Who's the next heir of Naples?
Seb. Claribel.

Ant. She that is Queen of Tunis; ſhe that dwells
Ten leagues beyond man's life ; ſhe that from Naples

Can have no Note, unleſs the ſun were poſt,

(The man i'th* moon's too ſlow) till new-born chins

Be rough and razorable ; ſhe, from whom
We were ſea-ſwallow'd ; tho' ſome, caſt again,
May by that deſtiny perform an act,

1 GO YT "© Bp” RN JPY

Whereof, what's palt is prologue ; what to come,

Is yours and my diſcharge ——
Seb. What ſtuff is this? how ſay you?

'Tis true, my brother's daughter's Queen of Tunis,

So is ſhe heir of Naples; twixt which regions

There is tome ſpace. |
Ant. A ſpace, whoſe ev'ry cubit
Seems to cry out, how ſhall that Car ibel

Meaſure us back to Naples Keep in Tunis,

mw > *%, m4 oh

The TEMPEST.
And let Sebaſtian wake. Say, this were death

27

That now hath ſeiz'd them, why, they were no worſe

Than now they are: there be, that can rule Naples,

As well as he that ſleeps : lords that can prate
As amply, and unneceſſarily,
As this Gonzalo; I my ſelf could make
A Cough of as deep chat. O, that you bore
'The mind that I do; what a ſleep were this
For your advancement ! do you underſtand me ?
Seb. Methinks, I do.
Ant. And how does your content
Tender your on good fortune?
Seb. I remember,
You did ſupplant your brother Proſpero.
it. True:
And look how well my garments ſit upon me;
Much feater than before. My brother's ſervants
Were then my fellows, now they are my men.
Seb. But, for your conſcience,
Ant. Ay, Sir; where lyes that?
If 'twere a kybe, *twould put me to my ſlipper :
But I feel not this deity in my boſom.
Ten conſciences, that ſtand *twixt me and Milan,
Candy'd be they, and melt, ere they moleſt !
Here lyes your brother
No better than the earth he lyes upon,
Tf he were that which now he's like, that's dead ;
Whom I with this obedient ſteel, three inches of it,
Can lay to bed. for ever : you doing thus,
To the perpetual wink for ay might put
This antient Morſel, this Sir Prudence, who
Should not upbraid our courſe. For all the reſt,
They'll take ſuggeſtion, as a cat laps milk;

They'l] tell the clock to any buſineſs, that

We ſay beſits the hour.
Seb. Thy caſe, dear friend,
Shall be my precedent: as thou got'ſt Milan,
P11 come by Naples. Draw thy ſword; one ſtroke
Shall free thee from the tribute which thou pay'it ;
And I the King ſhall love thee.
Ant. Draw together :
And when J rear my hand; do you the like
To fall it on Gœngala. B 2

Feb.

28 The TEMPEST.

Seb. O, but one word. ——
Enter Ariel, with Muſick and Song.

Ari. My maſter through his art foreſees the danger,
'That you, his friend, are in; and ſends me forth {
(For elſe his project dies) to keep them living.

[Jing in Gonzalo Ear.
While you here do ſnoaring hoe,
Open-ey'd conſpiracy |
His time doth take :
If of life you keep a care,
Shake off lumber and bearare:
Aabale ! awake !
Ant. Then let us both be ſudden, |
Gon. Now, good angels preſerve the King ! [They duale.
Alon. Why, how now, ho? awake ? why are joudrann? | 8
Wherefore this ghaſtly looking ? 1
Con. What's the matter?
Seb. While we ſtood here ſecuring your repoſe,
Ev'n now we heard a hollow burſt of bellowing
Like bulls, or rather lions ; did't not wake you ;
It ſtrook mine ear moſt terribly.
Alon. J heard nothing.
Ant. O, twas a din to fright a monſter's ear;
To make an earthquake : ſure, it was the roar
Of a whole herd of lions.
Alen. Heard you this?
Gon. Upon my honour, Sir, I heard a humming,
And that a ſtrange one too, which did awake me.
I ſhak'd you, Sir, and cry'd ; as mine eyes open'd,
I faw their weapons drawn: there was a noiſe,
That's verity. Tis beſt we ſtand on guard;
Or that we quit this place : let's draw our weapons.
Alon. Lead off this ground, and let's make further ſearch |
{ For my poor ſon. |
"ut Gon. Heav'ns keep him from theſe beaſts !

. _ zi
_=- X=*F FR,” Tf oor & CERT uu W D

4 l: For he is, ſure, i'th' iſland.
" Ahn. Lead away.
Art. Profpero my lord ſhall know what I have done.
So, King, go ſaſely on to {eek thy ſon. [Exeunt.

SCENE

ar.

ale.
vn? ?

arch

eunt.

The TEMPEST. 29
SCENE changes to another part of the Iſland.
Enter Caliban with a burden of wood; a noiſe of thunder

heard.

Col. All the infections, that the ſun ſucks up
From bogs, fens, flats, on Proſper fall, and make him
By inch-meal a diſeaſe ! his ſpirit hear me,

And yet I needs mult curſe. But they'll not pinch,

Fright me with urchin-ſhews, pitch me th mire,

Nor lead me, like a fire-brand, in the dark

Out of my way, unleſs he bid em; but

For every trifle are they ſet upon me.

Sometimes like apes, that moe and chatter at me,

And after bite me ; then like hedge-hogs, which

Lye tumbling in my bare-foot way, and mount

Their pricks at my footfall ; ſometime am 1

All wound with adders, who with cloven tongues -

Do hiſs me into madneſs. Lo! now | lo! |
Enter Trinculo.

Here comes a ſpirit of his, and to torment me

For bringing wood in ſlowly, I'll fall flat;

Perchance, he will not mind me. | ;

Trin. Here's neither buſh nor ſhrub to bear off any
weather at all, and another ſtorm brewing; I hear it
fing i” th' wind: yond fame black cloud, yond huge
one, looks like a ſoul bumbard that would ſhed his
liquor. If it ſhould thunder as it did before, I know
not where to hide my head: yond ſame cloud cannot
chuſe but fall by pailfuls—— What have we here, a
man or a fiſh? dead or alive? A fiſh, he ſmells like
a fiſh; a very antient and fiſh-like ſmell. A kind of,
not of the neweſt, Poor John: a ſtrange fiſh ! Were
I in England now, as once I was, and had but this fiſh
painted, not an holyday-fool there but would give a
piece of Silver. There would this monſter make a
man; any ſtrange beaſt there makes a man; when
they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar ;
they will lay out ten to ſeea dead Indian. Legg'd like
a man; and his fins like arms! warm, o' my troth! I
do now let looſe my opinion, hold it no longer, this
is no fiſh, but an Iſlander, that hath lately fuffer'd by
a thunder bolt, Alas! the ſtorm is come again, My

B 3 ; belt

30 The TEMPEST.

| beſt way is to creep under his gaberdine : there is no

other ſhelter hereabout ; miſery acquaints a man with

ſtrange bedfellows : I will here ſhrowd, till the dregs |

of the ftorm be paſt.
Enter Stephano, ſinging.
Ste. J. ſhall na more to ſea, to ſea, here ſhall I die aſhore,
This is a very ſcurvy tune to ſing at a man's funeral;
well, here's my comfort. [Drinks,

Sings. The mafter, the fwabber, the boatfwain and I, |

The gunner and his mate,
Lov'd Mall, Meg, and Marrian, and Margery,
But none of us card far Kate;
For fhe had a tengue with a tang,
Would cry to a ſailor, go hang :
She low d not the ſawour of tar nor of pitch,
Yet a taylor might ſcratch her, wwhere-eer ſhe did itch.
Then to ſea, Boys, and let her go hang.
This is a ſcurvy tune too: but here's my comfort.
| (Drinks.
Cal. Do not torment me, oh! |
Ste. What's the matter? Have we devils here? Do
you put tricks upon's with ſalvages, and men of Inde?

ha ? I have not ſcap'd drowning, to be afraid now of |

your four legs; for it hath been ſaid, As proper a man

as ever went upon four legs, cannot make him give g
phano

ground; and it ſhall be ſaid fo again, while See
breathes at his noſtrils.

Cal. The ſpirit torments me; oh! |
HSOSte. This is ſome monſter of the iſle, with four legs,

who has got, as I take it, an ague: where the devil
ſhould he learn our language? I will give him ſome re-
lief, if it be but for that: if I can recover him, and keep
him tame, and get to Naples with him, he's a preſent for
any Emperor that ever trod on neats-leather.

Cal. Do not torment me, Pr'ythee; I'll bring my
wood home faſter, |

Ste. He's in his fit now; and does not talk after the
wiſeſt : he ſhall taſte of my bottle. If he never drunk
wine afore, it will go near to remove his fit; if I can
recover him, and keep him tame, I will not take too
much for him; he ſhall pay for him, that hath him,
and that ſoundly. Cat

no
ith
egs

re,
al ;
1.
2

The TEMPEST. zr

cal Thou doſt me yet but little hurt; thou wilt anon,
T know it, by thy trembling : now Proſper works upon

W thee.

Ste. Come on your ways; open your mouth; here is
that which will give language to you, Cat : open your.
mouth; this will ſhake your ſhaking, I can tell you,
and that ſoundly : you cannot tell who's your friend ;;.
open your chaps again.

Trin. I ſhould know that voice: it ſhould be.

but he's drown'd ; and theſe are devils ; O defend me

Ste. Four legs and two voices? a moſt delicate mon-
ſter ! his forward voice now is to ſpeak well of his
friend; his backward voice is to utter foul ſpeeches,
and to detract If all the wine in my bottle will re-
cover him, I will help his ague: come! Amen! I will
pour ſome in thy other mouth. |

Trin. Stepbano. ————

Ste. Doth thy other mouth call me? mercy ! mercy [
this is a devil and no monſter : I will leave him; I have
no long ſpoon.

Trin. Stephano ! If thou beeſt Stephano, touch me, and
ſpeak to me; for I am Trinculo; be not afraid, thy

good friend Trinculo.

Ste. If thou beeſt Trinculs, come forth, I'll pull thee
by the leſſer legs: if any be Trinculo's legs, theſe are
they. Thou art very Trinculo, indeed: how cam'ſt thou
to be the ſiege of this moon-calf? can he vent Trincules !

Trin. I took him to be kill'd with a thunder-ſtroke :
but art thou not drown'd, Stephano ? I hope now thou
art not drown'd: is the ſtorm over- blown? I hid me
under the dead moon calf's gaberdine, for fear of the
ſtorm : and art thou living, Stephans? O Stephano, two
Neapolitans ſcap'd |! :

Ste. Pr'ythee, do not turn me about, my ſtomach is
not conſtant. |

Cal. Theſe be fine things, an if they be not ſprights
that's a brave god, and bears celeſtial liquor: I wil
kneel to him. '

Ste. How didſt thou ſcape ? how cam'ſt thou hither ?
ſwear, by this bottle, how thou cam'ſt hither : I eſcap'd
upoũ a butt of ſack, which the failors heav'd over-board,
by this bottle! which I made of the bark of a tree, with

mine own hands, ſince I was caſt a-ſhore.. Cal.

32 The TEMPEST.

Cal. I'll ſwear, upon that bottle, to be thy true ſub- |
ject; for the liquor is not earthly. Fs 1

Ste. Here : ſwear then, how eſcap'dſt thou ?

Trin. Swom a-ſhore, man, like a duck ; I can ſwim
like a duck, I'll be ſworn. |

Ste. Here, kiſs the book. Though thou can'ſ ſwim
like a duck, thon art made like a gooſe. |

Trin. O Stephano, haſt any more of this?

Ste. The whole butt, man; my cellar is in a rock by
th' ſea-fide, where my wine is hid. How now, moon- 8b
calf, how does thine ague ?

Cal. Haſt thou not dropt from heav'n ?

Ste. Out o' th' moon, I do aſſure thee, I was the
man in th' moon, when time was.

Cal. I have ſeen thee in her; and I do adore thee:
my miſtreſs ſhew'd me thee, and thy dog and thy buſh.

See. Come, ſwear to that; kiſs the book: I will fur-
niſh it anon with new contents : ſwear.

Trin. By this good light, this is a very ſhallow mon-
ſter: I afraid of him? a very ſhallow monſter: the
man i' th' moon? a moſt poor credulous mon-
ſter : well drawn, monſter, in good ſooth.

Cal. I'll ſhew thee every fertile inch o' th' Iſle, and
I will kiſs thy foot: I'll pr'ythee be my god. |

Fix. By this good light, a moſt perfidious and drunken
monſter; when his god's aſleep, he'll rob his bottle.

Cal. P11 kiſs thy foot. I'll ſwear myſelf thy ſubject.

Ste. Come on then; down, and ſwear.

Trin. I ſhall laugh myſelf to death at this puppy-
headed monſter : a moſt ſcurvy monſter! I could find in
my heart to beat him

Ste. Come, kiſs. |

Trin. — But that the poor monſter's in drink : an
abominable monſter ! | |

Cal. I'll ſhew thee the beſt ſprings; I'Il pluck thee

berries, ' C
I'll fiſh for thee, and get thee wood enough.
A plague upon the tyrant that I ſerve!
I'll bear him no more ſticks, but follow thee,
Thou wond'rous man.

Trix. A moſt ridiculous monſter, to make a wonder
of a poor drunkard. |

Cal. I pr'ythee, let me bring thee where crabs grow,

Ly

td bond heed ffIAA Sd #4 a kk TT IC e

ſub-

wim

The TEMPEST.

And J with my long nails will dig thee pig-nuts ;
Shew thee a jay's neſt, and inſeru thee how

o ſnare the nimble marmazet ; I'll bring thee

o cluſt'ring filberds,. and ſometimes I'll get thee

oung Shamois from the rock. Wilt thou go with me?
Ste. I pr'ythee now, lead the way without any more
alking. Trinculo, the King and all our company elſe”
being drown'd, we will inherit here. Here, bear my

33

Wbottle ; fellow Trincu/s, we'll fill him by and by again.

Cal. [Sings drunkenly.] Farewel, maſter ; farewel farewel.
Trin. A howling monſter; a drunken monſter.
Cal. No more dams, Tll make for fiſh,
Nor fetch in firing at requiring,
Nor ſcrape trencher, nor waſh diſb,
Ban Ban, Cacalyban
Has a new maſter, get a new man.
Freedom, hey-day ! hey-day, freedom ! freedom, hey-
ay, freedom ! a
Ste. O brave monſter, lead the way.

[Exeunt,

ACT I.
SCENE, before Proſpero's Cell.

Enter Ferdinand, bearing a log.

Fer, my ron be ſome ſports are painful, but their”
abour

Delight in them ſets off: ſome kinds of baſeneſs

Are nobly undergone, and moſt poor matters

Point to rich ends. This my mean task wou'd be

As heavy to me, as tis odious: but

The miſtreſs which I ſerve, quickens what's dead,

And makes my labours pleaſures: O, ſhe is

Ten times more gentle, than her Father's crabbed;

And he's compos d of harſhneſs. I muft move:

Some. thouſands of theſe logs, and pile them up,

Upon a ſore injunction. My ſweet miſtreſs

Weeps,. when ſhe. ſees me work,, and ſays, ſuch baſeneſs

Had ne er like executor ;. I forget; |

But theſe ſweet thoughts do ev'n refreſh my labour,

Moſt. buſie- leſs, when I. do .
5

.

ue,

34 The TEMPEST.

Enter Miranda; and Pe at a diſtance unſeen.
Mira. Alas, now pray

Work not ſo hard; I — the lightni —
Burnt up thoſe logs, that thowrt enjoyn d to pile:
Pray, ſet it down and reſt you; when this burns,
»Twill weep for having wearied you: my father
Is hard at ſtudy ; pray now, reſt yourſelf ;
He's ſafe for theſe three hours.
Fer. O moſt dear miſtreſs,
The ſun will fet, before I ſhall diſcharge
What I muſt ſtrive to do.
Mira. If you'll fit down,
I'Il bear your logs the while. Pray give me that,
J11 carry't to the pile. |
Fer. No, precious creature,
I'd rather crack my ſinews, break my back,
Than you ſhould ſuch diſhonour undergo,
While I fit lazy by.
Mira. It would become me,
As well as it does you ; and I ſhould do it,
With much more eaſe ; for my good will is to it,
And yours it is againſt,
Pro. Poor worm ! thou art infected: 3
This viſitation ſhews it.
Mira. You look wearily. :
Fer. No, noble miſtreſs ; tis freſh morning with me,
When you are by at night. I do beſeech you,

(Chiefy that I might ſet it in my **
hat is your name?

Mira. Miranda. O my father,
Toe broke your heſt to ſay ſo.

Fer. Admir'd Miranda
Indeed, the top of admiration ; worth
What's deareſt to the world! full many a lady
Pve ey'd with beſt regard, and many a time
Th' harmony of their tongues hath into bondage
Brought my too diligent ear! for ſeveral virtues
Have I lik'd ſev'ral women, never any
With fo full ſoul, but ſome defect in her
Did quarrel with the nobleſt grace ſhe ow'd,
And put it to the foil. But you, O you,
So perfect, and ſo peerleſs are created

The TEMP EST.
Of every creature's beſt.

Mira. I do not know

One of my ſex ; no woman's face remember,
Save from the glaſs my own; nor have I ſeen
More that I may call men, than you, good friend,
And my dear father ; how features are abroad,
I'm killef of; but, by my modeſty,
(The jewel in my dower) I would not wiſh”
Any companion in the world but you;
Nor can imagination from a ſhape,
Beſides yourſelf, to like of. But I prattle
Something wildly, and my father's precepts
I therein do forget.
Far. I am, in my condition,
A Prince, Mztanado ; I do think, a King;
(1 would, not ſo!) and would no more endure
Tnis wooden ſlavery, than I would ſuffer
The fleſh-flie blow my mouth. Hear my ſoul _—_—
The very inſtant that I ſaw you, did
My heart fly to your ſervice, there reſides
To make me ſlave to it, and for your fake
Am I this patient long-man.

Mira. Do you love me ?

Fer. O heav'n, O earth, bear witneſs to this pedal,
And crown what I profeſs with kind event, . |
If I ſpeak true; if hollowly, invert
What beſt is boaded me, to miſchief! ],
Beyond all limit of what elſe 1'th* world,
Do love, prize, honour you.

Mira. I am a fool,
To weep at what I'm glad of.

Pro. Fair encounter
Of two moſt rare afteQtions ! heav'ns rain grace,
On that which breeds between em

Fer. Wherefore weep you ?

Mira. At mine-unworthineſs, that dare not offer, .
What I do deſire to give; and much leſs take,
What I ſhall die to want : but this is trifting;

And all the more it ſeeks to hide itſelf,

The bigger bulk it ſhews. Hence, baſhful cunning, ...
And prompt me plain and holy innocence,

I am your wife, if you will marry me;

W

36 The TEMPESFT

If not, I'll die your maid : to be your fellow
You may deny me; but I'll be your ſervant,
Whether you will or no. 8
Fer. My miſtreſs, my deareſt,
And I thus humble ever.
Mira. My husband then?
Fer. Ay, with a heart as willing
As bondage e er of freedom; here's my hand.
Mira. And mine, with my heart in't; and now, farewel,
Till half an hour hence. |
Fer. A thouſand, thouſand. [Exeunt
Pro. So glad of this as they, I cannot be, |
Who are ſurpriz d withal ; but my rejoicing
At nothing can be more. I'll to my book;
For yet, ere ſupper · time muſt I perform
Mauch buſineſs appertaining. Exit.

SCENE changes to another part of the Iſland. |

Enter Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo.
Ste. Tell not me; when the butt is out, we will drink
water, not a drop before; therefore bear up, and board
em, ſervant-monſter; drink to me. |
Trin. Servant-monſter ! the folly of this Iſland ! they
ſay, there's but five upon this Iſle ; we are three of them,
if the other two be braid like us, the ſtate totters.
Ste. Drink, ſervant-monſter, when I bid thee ; thy
eyes are almoſt ſet in thy head.
Tin. Where ſhould they be ſet elſe? he were a brave
monſter indeed, if they were ſet in his tail. |
fe. Wy man-monſter hath drown'd his tongue in
ade: r my part, the ſea cannot drawn me: I ſwam,
ere I could recover the ſhore, five and thirty leagues,
of and on; by this light, thou ſhalt be my lieutenant,
monſter, or my ſtandard. *
Trin. Your lieutenant, if you liſt ; he's no ſtandard,
Ste. We'll not run, monſieur monſter.
Trin.. Nor go neither: but you'll lie like dogs, and
yet ſay nothing neither. 4
Ste. Moon calf, ſpeak once in thy life, if thou beeſt a
good moon calf.
Cal. How does thy bonqur ? let me lick thy Hon f
3

el,

2

The TEMPEST. 37

In not ſerve him, he's not valiant.

Trin. Thou lieſt, moſt ignorant monſter, I am in cafe
to juſtle a conſtable ; why, thou deboſh'd fiſh thou, was
there ever man a coward that hath drunk ſo much ſack
as I to-day? wilt thou tell a monſtrous lie, bring but
half a fiſh, and half a monſter ?

Cal. Lo, how he mocks me : Wilt thou let him, my lord?

Trim. Lord, quoth he ! that a monſter ſhould be ſuch a
natural !

Cal. Lo, lo, again; bite him to death, I pr'ythee.

Ste. Trinculo, keep a good tongue in your head; if
you prove a mutineer, the next tree the poor mon-
ſter's my ſubject, and he fhall not ſuffer indignity.

Cal, I thank my noble lord. Wilt thou be pleas'd
to hearken once again to the ſuit I made to thee ?

Ste. Marry, will I ; kneel and repeat it; I will ſtand,
and fo ſhall Trinculb.

Enter Ariel inviſible.

Cal. As I told thee before, I am ſubje& to a tyrant,

a ſorcerer, that by his cunning hath cheated me of the

- Iſland.

Ari. Thou lieſt.
Cad. Thou lieſt, thou jeſting monkey, thou;
I would, my valiant maſter would deſtroy thee ;.
I do not lie.
Ste. Trinculo, if you trouble him any more in's tale,
by this hand, I will ſupplant ſome of your teeth.
Trin. Why, I faid nothing.
Ste. Mum then, and no more; proceed,
Cal. I ſay, by ſorcery he got this iſle ;
From me he got it. If thy greatneſs wall
Revenge it on him, (for, I know, thou dar'ſt,
But this thing dare not.)
Ste. That's moſt certain.
Cal. Thou ſhall be lord of it, and I'll: ferve thee.
Ste. How now, ſhall this be compaſt ? canſt thou bring.
me to the party ?
Cal. Yea, yea, my lord, I'll yield him thee aſleep,
Where thou mayſt knock a nail into his head.
Ai. Thou lie, thou canit not.
Cal. What a py'd ninny's this? thou ſcurvy patch“
F de beſeech thy greatneſs, give him blows, _
And take his bottle from him, when that's gone, He

38 The TEMPEST.

He ſhall drink nought but brine, for I'll not ſhew him
Where the quick freſhes are.

Ste. Triuculo, run into no further danger : Interrupt the
monſter one word further, and, by this hand, I'll turn my
mercy out of doors, and n. ike a Rtock-fiſh of thee.

Trin. Why, * did 1 1 did nothing; I'll go fur-
ther off.

Ste. Didſt thou not ſay, he !y'd ?

Ari. Thou lieſt.

Ste. Do I ſo? take you that. [ Beats him...

As you like this, give me the lye another time.
Trin. I did not give thee the lye; out o' your wits.

And hearing too? A pox o' your bottle! this can ſack

and drinking do. A murrain on your monſter, and the
devil take your ſingers.
Cal. Ha, ha, ha.

Ste. Now forward with your tale; pr'ythee, ſtand.

further off.

Cal. Beat him enough ; after a little time
Pl! beat him too.

Ste. Stand further. Come, proceed.

Cal. Why, as I told thee, tis a cuſtom with him
Ith* afternoon to ſleep ; there thou may'ſt brain him,
Having firſt ſeiz'd his books: Or with a log
Batter his skull, or paunch him with a ſtake,

Or cut his wezand with thy Knife. Remember,
Firſt to poſſeſs his books; for without them
He's but a ſot, as I am; nor hath not

One ſpirit to command. They all do hate him,
As rootedly as I. Burn but his books;

He has brave utenſils, (for ſo he calls them,)
Which, when he has an houſe, he'll deck withal,
And that moſt deeply to conſider, is

The beauty of his Daughter; he himſelf

Calls her a non-parie| : I ne'er ſaw woman,

But only Syt#orax my dam, and ſhe :

But ſhe as far ſurpaſſes Sycorax,

As greateſt does the leaſt.

Ste. Is it ſo, brave a laſs ?

Cal. Ay, lord ; ſhe will become thy bed, I warrant,
And bring thee forth brave brood.

Ste. Monſter, I will Kill this man: his daughter and

I

ey AI AI OAH OO

t,

The TEMPEST. 39
I will be King and Queen, fave our Graces : And Trin-
culo and thyſelf ſhall be Vice-Roys. Doſt thou like the
plot, Trinculo ? |

Trin. Excellent. 7

Ste. Give me thy hand ; I am ſorry, I beat thee : But,
while thou liv'ſt, keep a good tongue in thy head.

Cal. Within this half hour will he be aſleep; -

Will he deſtroy him then ?

Ste. Ay, on my honour.

Ari. This will I tell my maſter.

Cal. Thou mak'ſt me merry; I am full of pleaſure ;
Let us be jocund. Will you troul the catch,
You taught me but while-ere ?

Ste. At thy requeſt, monſter, I will do reaſon, any

reaſon : Come on, Trincu/o, let us ſing. [Sings.
Flout em, and Shout em; and out em, and flout em;
thought is free. |

Cal. That's not the tune. |
[Ariel plays the tune on a Tabor and Pipe-

Ste, What is this ſame ?

Trin. This is the tune of our catch, plaid by the pic-
ture of no-body. 7

Ste. If thou be'ſt a man, ſhew thyſe'f in thy likeneſs ;
if thou be'ſt a devil, take't as thou liſt. |

Trim. O, forgive me my fins !

Ste. He that dies pays all debts, I defie thee. Mer-
cy upon us | 5 |

Cal. Art thou afraid ?

Ste. No, monſter, not TI.

Cal. Be not afraid ; the ifle is full of noiſes,
Sounds, and ſweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thouſand twanging inſtruments |
Will hum about mine ears, and ſometimes voices:
That, if I then had wak'd after long ſleep,
Will make me ſleep again; and then in dreaming,
The Clouds, methought, would open, and ſhew riches
Ready to drop upon me; that when I wak'd,
I cry'd to dream again. | |

Ste. This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where
I ſhall have my muſick for nothing. |
Cal. When Proſpero is deſtroy'd.

Ste. That ſhall be by and by : I remember the ſtory.

Trin.

as of — — ——

40 TheTEMPEST

Erin. The ſound is going away; let's follow it, and
after do our work.

Ste. Lead, monſter ; we'll follow. I would I could ,
ſee this taborer. He lays it on. 9

Trin. Wit come ? Pl! follow Szephans. [Exe.

SCENE changes to another part of the and.

|
|
(
Enter Alonſo, Sebaſtian, Anthonio, Gonzalo, Adrian, I
Franciſco, &c. a
|

Gon. By'r lakin, I can go no farther, Sir,
My old bones ake : here's a maze trod indeed,
Through forth-rights and meanders l by your patience,.
I needs muſt reſt me. 1
Alon. Old lord, I cannot blame thee,
Who am myſelf attach'd with wearineſs, 8
To th' dulling of my ſpirits; ſit down and reſt. (
Ev'n here I will put off my hope, and keep it (
No longer for my flatterer : he is drown'd,
Whom thus we ftray to find, and the Sea mocks:
Our fruſtrate ſearch on land. Well, let him go.
Ant. J am right glad that he's ſo out of hope.
Do not, for one repulſe, forego the purpoſe.
That you reſolv'd t'effect.
Seb. The next advantage
Will we take throughly. 1
Ant. Let it be to night ; ]
For, now they are oppreſs'd with travel, they 1
Will not, nor cannot uſe ſuch vigilance, ö
(

1

As when they're freſr.
Sab. I fay, to night: no more.

Solemn and ſtrange mufick ; and Proſpero on the tap, inviſible. ;
Enter ſeveral ftrange Shapes, bringing in a banquet ; and ,
dance about it with gentle ations of ſalutation ; and in- 8
wviting the King, &c. to eat, they depart.

Ahn. What harmony is this? my good friends, hark!

Gon. Marvellous ſweet muſick:

Alm. Give us kind keepers, heaven; what were theſe ?-

Seb. A living drollery. Now. I will believe,
That there are unicorns ;. that, in Arabia (
There is ane tres, phenix' throne ;. one phznix.
At this hour reigning there. Att.

The TEMPEST. 41

Ant. T'll believe both: |

And what does elſe want credit, come to me,

And ['ll be ſworn 'tis true Travellers ne'er did lie,
Though fools at home condemn 'em.

Gon. If in Naples |
e. I ſhould report this now, would they believe me ?

If I fhould fay, I ſaw ſuch iſlanders :

(For, certes, theſe are people of this ifland)
Who tho they are of monſtrous ſhape, yet, note,
Their manners are more gentle-kind than of
Our human generation you ſhall find

Many ; nay, almoſt any.

Pro, Honeſt lord,

Thou haſt ſaid well ; for ſome of you there preſent
Are worſe than devils,

Alon. I cannot too much muſe,

Such ſhapes, fuch geſture, and ſuch ſound, expreſſing
(Although they want the uſe of tongue) a kind
Of excellent dumb diſcourſe.

Pro. Praiſe in departing.

Fran. They vanquiſh'd ſtrangely.

Seb. No matter, ſince F
They've left their viands behind; for we have ſtomachs.
Will't pleaſe you taſte of what is here ?

Alon. Not I. |

Gon. Faith, Sir, you need not fear. When we were boys,
Who would belie that there were mountaineers,
Dew-lapt like bulls, whoſe throats had hanging at em
Wallets of fleſh, or that there were ſuch men,

Whoſe heads ſtood in their breaft ? which now we find
Each putter out on five for one will bring us
Good warrant of. |
Alon. I will ſtand to, and feed,
Altho my laſt ; no matter, ſince I feel 12
4 The beſt is paſt. Brother, my lord the Duke,
Stand to, and do as we.

1 Thunder and lightning. Enter Ariel like a harpy, claps Bis
* wings pon the table, and with a queint device the banquet
K waniſhes.

Ari. You are three men of fin, whom deſtiny,

(That hath to inſtrument this lower world,

*

ko

422 The TE MP E S .

And what is in't) the never-ſurfeited ſea

Hath cauſed to belch up; and on this Iſland
Where man doth not inhabit, you mongſt men
Being moft unfit to live. I have made you mad;

And ev'n*'with ſuch like valour men hang and frown |

Their proper ſelves. - You fools! I and my fellows
Are miniſters of fate; the elements
Of whom your ſwords are temper'd, may as well
Wound the loud winds, or with bemockt-at-ſtabs
Kill the ſtilleloſing-waters,. as diminiſh
One down that's in my. plume : My fellow-minifters:
Are like invulnerable. If you could hurt,
Your ſwords are now too maſſie for your ſtrengths,
And will not be up-lifted. But remember,
(For that my buſineſs to you) that _ three
From Milan did ſupplant good Proſper

Expos'd unto the * (which hath — it)
Him, and this innocent child: For which foul deed
The powers delaying, not forgetting, have
Incens'd the ſeas and ſhores, yea, all the creatures,
Againſt your peace: Thee of thy ſon, Alonso,
They have bereft ; and do pronounce by me,
Ling'ring perdition, worſe than any death

Can be at once, {hall ſtep by ſtep attend
You and your ways; whoſe wrath to guard you from,
(Which here in this moſt deſolate Iſle elſe falls
Upon your heads,) is nothing but heart's ſorrow,
And a clear life enſuing.

Ha vaniſbes in thunder: Then, to þ oft muſick, F nter the

ſhapes again, and dance with mopps and mowes, and

carrying out the table.

Pro. Bravely the figure of this harpy haſt thou
Perform'd,- my Ariel; a grace it had devouring :
Of my inſtruction haſt thou nothing bated,
In what thou hadſt to ſay : So with good life,
And obſervation ſtrange, my meaner minſters
Their ſeveral kinds have done; my high charms f
And theſe, mine enemies, are all Knit 1
In their diſtractions: They are in my power;
And in theſe fits I leave them, whilſt I viſit
Young Ferdinand, (whom they ſuppoſe is drown'd,)

md i. tn nt cd) td WP

nd tn. - Y tSd frond

Tbe TEMPEST. 43

And his and my lov'd darling. [ Exit Proſper above»
Gon, I' th' name of ſomething holy, Sir, why ſtand you

In this ſtrange ſtare?
Alon. O, it is monſtrous! monſtrous ! |

Methoughts, the billows ſpoke, and told me of it;

The winds did ſing it to me; and the thunder,

That deep and dreadful organ-pipe, pronounc'd

The Name of Proſper : It did baſe my treſpaſs.

Therefore, my ſon i'th' ooze is bedded ; and

I'll ſeek him deeper than e'er plummet ſounded,

And with him there lye mudded. [Exit..
Seb. But one fiend at a time,

Pill fight their legions o'er.
Ant. 1'il be thy ſecond. [Au.
Gon All three of them are deſperate; their great guilt,

Like poiſon giv'n to work a great time after, n

Now gins to bite the ſpirits. I do beſeech you,

That are of ſuppler joints, follow them ſwiſtly;

And hinder them from what this ecſtaſie

May now provoke them to. '
Aari. Follow, I pray you. [Exeunt;

ACT Fs

SCENE, Proſpero's Cell.
Enter Proſpero, Ferdinand, and Miranda.

Pro. IF I have too auſterely puniſh'd you,
| Your compenſation makes amends ; for I

Have giv'n you here a thread of mine own life ;-
Or that, for which I live; whom once again
I tender to thy hand : All thy vexations
Were but my. trials of thy love, and thou
Haſt ſtrangely ſtood the teft. Here, afore heaven,
I ratify this my rich gift : O Ferdinand,
Do. not ſmile at me, that I boaſt her off;
For thou ſhalt find, ſhe will outſtrip all praiſe,
And make it halt behind her. ;

Fer. I believe it,
Againſt an oracle.

44 The TEMPEST.

Pro. Then as my gift, and thine own acquiſition
Worthily purchas'd, take my daughter. But
If thou doſt break her virgin-knot, before
All ſanctimonious ceremonies may
With full and holy rite be miniſter'd,
No ſweet aſperſions ſhall the heav'ns let fall
To make this contract grow: But barren hate,
Sore-ey'd diſdain, and diſcord ſhall beftrew
The union of your bed with weeds ſo loathly,
'That you ſhall hate it both : Therefore take heed,
As Hymen's lamps ſhall light you.

Fer. As I hope
For quiet days, fair iſſue, and long life,
With ſuch love as tis now; the murkieſt den,
The moſt opportune place, the ſtrongeſt ſuggeſtion
Our worſer Genus can, ſhall never melt
Mine honour into luſt ; to take away
The edge of that day's celebration,
When I ſhall think or Phebus feeds are founder'd,
Or night kept chain'd below. |
- Pro. Fairly ſpoke. |
Sit then, and talk with her, ſhe is thine own.
What, Ariel; my induſtrious ſervant, 4rieſ—— —

Enter Ariel.
Ari. What would my potent maſter ? here I am.

P. Thou and thy meaner fellows your laſt ſervice

Did worthily perform; and I muſt uſe you
In ſuch another trick; go, bring the rabble,
O'er whom I give thee power, here to this place:
Incite them to quick motion, for I muſt
Beſtow upon the eyes of this young couple
Some vanity of mine art; it is my promiſe,
And they expect it from me. |
Ari. Preſently ?
Pro. Ay, with a twink.
Ari. Before you can ſay, Come, and go,
And breathe twice; and cry, ſo, ſo;
Each one, tripping on his toe
Will be here with mop and mow.
Do you love me, maſter? no?
Pre. Dearly, my delicate Ariel, do not approach,
Till thou doſt hear me call.

\

Ars,

1
1
C
1
f
d
|
]

_—_—

The TEMPEST. 45

Ari. Well, I conceive. [Exit,
Pro. Look, thou be true ; do not give dalliance

Too much the rein; the ſtrongeſt oaths are ftraw

To th' fire i'th' blood: Be more abſtemious,

Or elſe, good night, your vow !
Fer. I warrant you, Sir ;

The white, cold, virgin-ſnow upon my heart

Abates the ardour of my liver.
„

Now, come, my Ariel; bring a corollary,

Rather than want a ſpirit; appear, and pertly.——

No tongue ;. all eyes ; be filent. [To Ferdinand,

[Soft Muſick.

AMASYQUE, Enter Iris.
Tries. Ceres, moſt bounteous lady, thy rich lees
Of wheat, rye, barley, fetches, oats, and peaſe ;
Thy turfy mountains, where live nibling ſheep,
And flat meads thatch'd with ſtover, them to 5 3
Thy banks with pioned, and tulip'd brims,
Which ſpungy April at thy heſt betrims,
To make cold nymphs chaſte crowns ; and thy broom-
roves,
| Whobe ſhadow the diſmiſſed batchelor loves,
Being laſs-lorn ; thy pole-clipt vineyard,
And thy ſea-marge ſteril, and rocky hard,
Where thou thyſelf do'ſt air; the Queen o'th' sky,
| Whoſe wat'ry arch and meſſenger am I,
Bids thee leave theſe ; and with her Sov'reign Grace,
Here on this graſs-plot, in this very place,
To come and iport ; her peacocks fly amain:
Approach, rich Ceres, her to entertain.
Enter Ceres.
Cer. Hail, many-colour'd meſſenger, that ne'er
Do'lt diſobey the wife of Jupiter:
Who, with thy ſaffron wings, upon my flowers.
Diffuſeſt honey drops, refreſhing ſhowers ;
And with each end of thy blue bow doſt crown,
My bosky acres, and my unſhrub'd down,
Rich ſcart to my proud earth ; why hath thy Queen
Summon'd me hither, to this ſhort-graſs green?
Iris. A contract of true love to celebrate,
And ſome donation freely to eſlate
On the bleis'd lovers. Cer.

46 The TEMPEST

| Cer. Tell me heav'nly bow,
If Venus or her fon, as thou do'ſt know,
Do now attend the Queen : Since they did plot
The means, that duſky Dis my daughter got;
Her and her blind boy s ſcandal'd *
J have forſworn.
Tris. Of her ſociety
Be not afraid; I met her deity
Cutting the clouds towards Paphes, and her ſon
Dove-drawn with her; here thought they to have done,
Some wanton charm upon this man and maid,
Whoſe vows are, that no bed-right ſhall be paid
Till Hymen's torch be lighted ; but! in vain
Mars's hot minion is return'd again
Her waſpiſh-headed ſon has broke his arrows;
Swears, he will ſhoot no more, but play with n
And be a boy right out.
Cer. High Queen of ſtate,
Great Juna, comes; I know her by her gate.
[Juno deſcends, and enters,
Fun. How does my bounteous ſiſter? go with me
To bleſs this twain, that they may proſp'rous be. |
And honour'd in their iſſue.

Jun. Honour, riches, marriage bleſſing.
Long continuance and increaſing,
Hourly joys be ftill upon you ;

Juno ings her bleſſings on you :

Cer. Earth's increaſe, and foyſon- plenty,
Barns and garners never empty,
Vines, with cluſtring bunches growing,
Plants, with goodly burthen bowing 3
Spring come to you, at the fartheſt.
In the very end of harveſt :

Scarcity and want Hall Shun jou;
Ceres's being /o is on you.

Fer. This is a moſt majeſtick viſion, and
Harmonious charmingly : May I be bold
To think theſe ſpirits ?

Pro. Spirits, which by mine art
J have from their confines call'd to enact

My preſent fancies. 8
4 Er.

—

FS.

The TEMPEST. 47

Fer. Let me live here ever ;
So rare a wonder'd father, and a wife,
Make this place paradile.
Pro. Sweet now, ſilence:
Juno and Ceres whiſper. ſeriouſly;
There's ſomething elſe to do ; huſh, and be mute,
Or elſe our ſpell is marr'd. |
[Juno and Ceres whiſper, and ſend Iris on employment.

1ris. You nymphs, call'd Nayadi, of the winding brooks,

With your ſedg'd crowns, and ever harmleſs looks,
Leave your criſp channels, and on this greenland
Anſwer your ſummons, Juno does command:
Come temperate-nymphs, and help to celebrate

A contract of true love; be not too late.

Enter certain Nymphs.

You ſun-burn'd ſicklemen of Auguſt weary,
Come hither from the furrow, and be merry:

Make holy-day; your rye-ſtraw hats put on,

And theſe freſh nymphs encounter every one
In country footing.

Enter certain reapers, properly habited z they join with the

' nymphs in a graceful dance ; towards the end whereof,

Proſpero farts ſuddenly, and ſpeaks, after which, to a
range, hollow, and conſuſed noije, they vaniſh heavily.

Pro. I had forgot that foul conſpiracy _

Of the beaſt Caliber, and his confed'rates

Againſt my life ; the minute of their plot
Is almoſt come. Well done, avoid ; no more.
Fer. This is ſtrange, your father's in ſome paſſion
That works him ſtrongly.
Mir. Never till this day
Saw I him touch'd with anger, ſo diſtemper'd.
Pro. You look; my ſon, in a mov'd fort,
As if you were diſmay'd ; be chearful, Sir:
Our revels now are ended: Theſe our actors,
As I foretold you, were all ſpirits, and
Are melted into air, into thin air ;
And, like the baſeleſs fabrick of this viſion,
'The cloud clapt towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The ſolemn temples, the great globe itielf,
Yea, all, which it inherits, fhall diſſolve ; And,

|
|
.4

48 The TEMPEST.

And, like this inſubſtantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind ! we are ſuch ſtuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a ſleep Sir, T am vext;
Bear with my weakneſs, my old brain is troubled :
Be not difturb'd with my infirmity;
If thou be pleas'd, retire into my cell,
And there repoſe ; a turn or two I'll walk,
To ſtill my beating mind.
Fer. Mira. We wiſh your peace. [Exe. Fer. and Mir.
Pro. Come with a thought; I thank you:
Ariel, come,

Proſpero comes forward from the Cell; Enter Ariel to him,

Ari. Thy thoughts I cleave to; what's thy pleaſure ?
Pro. Spirit,
We muſt prepare to meet with Caliban.
Ari. Ay, my commander ; when I preſented Ceres,
I thought to have told thee of it ; but I fear'd,
Leſt I might anger thee.
Pro. Say again, . where didſt thou leave theſe varlets.
Ari. I told you, Sir, they were red hot with drinking ;
So full of valour, that they (mote the air
For breathing in their faces; beat the ground
For kifling of their feet ; yet always bending
Towards their project. Then I beat my tabor,
At which like unbackt colts, they prickt their ears,
Advanc'd their eye-lids, lifted up their noſes,
As they ſmelt muſick ; ſo I charm'd their ears,
That calf-like, they my lowing follow'd through
Tooth'd briers, ſharp furzes, pricking goſs and thorns,
Which enter'd their frail ſhins: at laſt I left them
I'th' filthy mantled pool beyond your cell,
There dancing up to th' chins, that the foul lake
Oerſtunk their feet.
Pero. This was well done, my bird;
Thy ſhape inviſible retain thou ſtill ;
The trumpery in my houſe ; go bring it hither,
For ſtale to catch theſe thieves. 5
Ari. ] go, I go. [Exit,
Pro. A devil, a born devil, on whoſe nature
Nurture can never ſtick ; on whom my pains,
Humanely taken, all, all loſt, quite loſt ;
| 2 And

8
I

nd

The TEMPEST. 49
And, as with Age, his body uglier grows,

So his mind cankers ; I will plague them all,
Even to roaring : Come, hang them on this line.
[Prof pero remains inviſible.
Enter Ariel haden with gliſtering apparel, &c. Enter
Caliban, Stephano, and Trinculo, all vet.
Cal. Pray you, tread ſoftly, that the blind mole may not
Hear a foot fall; we now are near his Cell.
Ste. Monſter, your Fairy, which you fay is harmleſs
Fairy, has done little better than plaid the Fack with us,
Trin. Monſter, I do imell all horſe piſs, at which my
noſe is in great indignation.

Ste. So is mine; do you hear, monſter ? If I ſhould
take a diſpleaſure againſt you : Look you
Trin. Thou wert but a loſt Monſter.

Cal. Good my lord, give me thy favour ſtill:
Be patient for the prize, I'll bring thee to,
Shall hood-wink this miſchance ; therefore ſpeak ſoftly
All's huſht as midnight yet.

Trin. Ay, but to loſe our bottles in the pool,

Ste. There is-not only diſgrace and diſhonour in that,
monſter, but an infinite loſs. _

Trin. That's more to me than my wetting : Yet this
is your harmleſs Fairy Monſter.

Ste. I will fetch off my bottle, ough I be o'er ears
for my labour.

Cal. Pr'ythee, my King, be quiet: ſeeſt thou here,
This is the mouth o' th' cell; no noiſe, and enter;
Do that good Miſchief, which may make this Iſland
Thine own for ever; and I, thy Caliban,
For ay thy foot-licker,

Ste, Give me thy hand; I do begin to have bloody
thoughts.

Trin. O king Stephano! O Peer! Q worthy Stephans !
Look, what a wardrobe here is for thee!

Cal. Let it alone, thou Fool, it is but traſh,

Trin. Oh, oh, monſter; we know what belongs to a
frippery ;z—— 2 King Stephans !

Ste. Put off that gown, Trincuto ; by this hand, IU
have that gown.

Trin. Thy grace ſhall have it.

Cal. The dropſie drown = fool ! what do you mean,

19

50 The TEMPEST.

To doat thus on ſuch luggage? let's along,
And do the Murder firit : if he awake,
From toe to crown he'll fill our skins with pinches ;
Make us ſtrange Stuff.
Ste. Be you quiet, monſter, Miſtreſs line, is not this
my jerkin ? now is the jerkin ur der the line: now jerkin,
you are like to loſe your hair, and prove a bald jerkin.

Trin. Do, do; we ſteal by line and level, and't like
your Grace. |

Ste. I thank thee for that jeſt, here's a garment for't :
Wit ſhall not go unrewarded, while I am King of this
country ; ſteal by line and level, is an excellent paſs of
pate; there's another garment {o1'r.

Trin. Monſter, come, put {ome lime upon your ſingers,
and away with the reſt. |

Cal. I will have none on't ; we ſhall loſe our time,
And all be turn'd to barnacles, or apes
With foreheads villanous low. |

Ste. Monſter, lay to your fingers; help to bear this
away, where my hogſhead of wine is, or I'!] turn you
out of my kingdom ; go to, carry this.

Trin. And this.

Ste. Ay, and this.

A noiſe of hunters heard. Enter divers ſpirits in ſhape of
| hounds, hunting them about ; Proſpero and Ariel Setting
them on. Calib. Steph. and Trinc. driven out, roaring.

Pro. Hey, Mountain, hey.

Ari. Silver ; there it goes, Silver.

Pro. Fury, Fury ; there, Tyrant, chere ; hark, hark ;
Go, charge my goblins that th:y grind their Joints
With dry Convulſions ; ſhorten up their ſinews
With aged cramps ; and more pinch ſpotted make them,
Than pard, or cat o' mountain. |

Ari. Hark, they roar.

Pro. Let them be hunted ſoundly. At this hour
Lie'at my mercy all mine-enemies :

Shortly ſhall all my labours end, and thou
S halt have the air at freedom ; for a little,
Follow, and do me ſervice. [Exe.

ACT

#

2.

The TEMP EST. GE

C33;
SCENE before the Cell.

Enter Proſpero in dit magich robes, and Ariel.

Pro. OW does my project gather to a head; [time
N My charms crack not ; my ſpirits obey, and
Goes upright with his carriage : How's the Day?
Ari. On the ſixth hour. at which time, my lord,
You ſaid, our work ſhould ceaſe.
Pro. I did fay ſo, | s
When firſt I rais'd the tempeſt ; ſay, my ſpirit,
How fares the King and's followers ?
Ari . Confi n'd
In the ſame faſhion as you gave in charge:
Juſt as you left them, all your priſoners, Sir,
In the Lime Grove which weather-fends your Cell.
They cannot budge, till you releaſe. The King,
His brother, and yours, abide all three diſtracted,
And the remainder mourning over them,
Brim-full of ſorrow and diſmay ; but, chiefly,
Him that you term'd the good old lord Gonzalo.
His Tears run down his beard, like winter-drops:

From Eaves of reeds ; your charm ſo ſtrongly works em,
That if you now beheld

them, your afteCtions
Would become tender.
Pro: Doſt thou think ſo, ſpirit ?
Ari. Mine would, Sir, were I human.
Pro. And mine ſhall.
Haſt thou, which art but air, a touch, a feeling
Of their afflictions, and ſhall not myſelf,
One of their kind, that reliſh all as ſharply,
Paſſion as they, be kindlier mov'd than thou art?
Tho' with their high wrongs I am ſtruck to th' quick,
Yet, with my nobler reaſon, *gainſt my fury
Do I take part; the rarer action is
In virtue than in vengeance ; they being penitent,
The ſole drift of my purpoſe doth extend
Not a frown further; go, releaſe them, Ariel;
C 2 1 My

4

—ͤ—ſ— — — — — — : I 2 — — — p c Sz

—— —

52 The TEMPEST.

My Charms I'Il break, their ſenſes I'Il reſtore,
And they ſhall be themſelves.

Ari. I'll fetch them, Sir. [Exit
Pro. Ve elves of hills, brooks, ſtanding lakes and groves,

And ye, that on the ſands with printleſs foot

Do chaſe the ebbing Neptune; and do fly him,
When he comes back ; you demy puppets, that,
By moon-ſhine do the green ſour ringlets make,
Whereof the ewe not bites ; and you whoſe paſtime
Is to make midnight muſhrooms, that rejoice

To hear the ſolemn curfew ; by whoſe aid

(Weak maſters tho' ye be) I have be-dimm'd

The noon tide ſun, call'd forth the mutinous winds,
And 'twixt the green ſea and the azur'd vault

Set roaring war; to the dread rattling thunder
Have I giv'n fire, and rifted Fowve's ſtout oak

Wich his own bolt. The ſtrong-bas'd promontory
Have I made ſhake, and by the ſpurs pluckt up
The pine and cedar: Graves at my command

Have wak'd their ſleepers; op'd, and let them forth
By my ſo potent art. But this rough magick

J here abjure ; and when I have requir'd

Some heav'nly muſick, which ev'n now I do,

(To work mine end upon their ſenſes, that

"Chis airy charm is for ;) I'll break my ſtaff ;

Bury it certain fadoms in the earth;

And, deeper than did ever plummet ſound,

Ill drown my book. | [Solemn muſick,

Here enters Ariel before; then Alonſo with a frantick Gef
ture, attended by Gonzalo, Sebaſtian and Anthonio in
like manner, attended by Adrian and Franciſco. They
all enter the circle which Proſpero had made, and there

Hand charm'd ; which Proſpero obſerving, ſpeaks.

A ſolemn air, and the beſt comforter

To an unſettled fancy, cure thy brains

Now uſeleſs boil'd within thy skull! There ſtand,

For you are ſpell ſtopt ————

Holy Gonzalo, honourable. man, |

Mine eyes, ev'n ſociable to th' ſhew of thine,
Fall fellow drops. —The charm diſſolves apace
And as the morning ſteals upon the night,

Melting

2 LH odd ere

es,

8
g
4
4

The TEMPEST

Melting the darkneſs ; ſo their riſing ſenſes

Begin to chaſe the ign'rant fumes that mantle
Their clearer reaſon. O my good Genzalo,

My true preſerver, and a loyal Sir

To him thou follow'ſt ; I will pay thy graces
Home both in word and deed- Moft cruelly
Didſt thou, Alonſo, uſe me and my daughter :
Thy brother was a furtherer in the act;

53

Thowrt pinch'd for't now, Sebaſtan, fleſh and blood.

You brother mine, that entertain'd ambition,
Expell'd remorſe and nature; who with Sebaſtian
(Whoſe inward pinches therefore are moſt ſtrong)

Wou'd here have kilPd your King; I do forgive thee,

Unnat'ral though thou art. Their underſtanding
Begins to ſwell, and the approaching tide,
Will ſhortly fill the reaſonable ſhore.

That now lies foul and muddy. Not one of them,
That yet looks on me, or would know me. Ariel,

Fetch me the hat and rapier in my Cell;
I will diſcaſe me, and myſelf preſent,

[Exit Ariel, and returns immediately.
As I was ſometime Milan: quickly, Spirit!

Thou ſhalt ere long be free.

L Ariel ings, and helps to attire him;

Where the bee fucks, there lurt I;

In @ cowflip's bell Ihe.

There ¶ couch, when owls do cry.

On the bat's back I db fly,

Afier Sunſet, merrily.

Merrily, merrily, hall I live now,

Under the bloſſom, that hangs on the bough.

Pro. Why that's my dainty Ariel; I ſhall miſs thee 3

| But yet thou ſhalt have freedom. So, fo, fg.

To the King's ſhip, inviſible as thou art ;
There ſhalt thou find the mariners aſleep

Under the hatches ; the maſter and the boatſwain,

Being awake, enforce them to this place;
And preſently, I pr'ythee.
Ari. I drink the air before me, and return
Or &'er you pulſe twice 12
| 3

[Exit.
. Gem

|

54 The TEMPEST.

Gon. All torment, trouble, wonder, and amazement
Inhabits here; ſome heav'nly power guide us |
Out of this fearful country !

Pro. Behold, Sir King,
The wronged Duke of Milan, Proſpero : |
For more aſſurance that a living Prince
Does now ſpeak to thee, I embrace thy body;
And to thee and thy company I bid
A hearty welcome.
Alon. Be'ſt thou he or no, '
Or ſome inchanted trifle to abuſe me,
As late I have been, I not know; thy pulſe 55
Beats, as of fleſh and blood; and ſince I ſaw thee,
TY affliction of my mind amends, with which,
I fear a Madneſs held me; this muſt crave
(And if this be at all) a moſt ſtrange ſtory :
Thy Dukedom I reſign, and do intreat, |
Thou pardon me my wrongs ; but how ſhould Profþers
Be living, and be here? | e
Pro. Firſt, noble friend, -
Let me embrace thine age, whoſe honour cannot
Be meaſur'd or confin'd.
Son. Whether this be,
Or he not, PII not ſwear
Pro. You do yet taſte
Some ſubtilties o'th* Iſle, that will not let you
Believe things certain: Welcome, my friends all.
But you, my brace of lords, were I ſo minded,
J here could pluck his Highneſs' frown upon you,
And juſtify you traitors ; at this time
I'll tell no tales.

Seb. The devil ſpeaks in him,

Pro. No __—

For you, moſt wicked Sir, whom to call brother

Would even infeck my mouth, I do forgive

Thy rankeſt faults; all of them; and require

My Dukedom of thee, which perforce I know,

Thou muſt reſtore. -
Alon. If thou be'ſt Preſpero,

Give us particulars of thy preſervation,

How thou haſt met us here, who three hours ſince

Were wrackt upon this ſhore ; where I have loſt H

s

The TEMPEST. 55

(How ſharp the point of this remembrance is)
My dear ſon Ferdinand.

Pro. I'm woe for't, Sir. 5

Alon. Irreparable is the loſs, and patience
Says, it is paſt her cure.

Pro. J rather think,

Vou have not ſought her help; of whoſe ſoſt grace,
For the like loſs, I have her ſov'reign aid,
And reſt myſelf content.

' Alon. You the like loſs ?

Pro. As great to me, as late ; and, ſupportable |
To make the dear loſs, have I means much weaker |
Than you may call to comfort you ; for I
Have loſt my daughter ? |

Alon. A daughter!

O heav'ns ! that they were living both in Naples,
The King and Queen there; that they were, I wiſh,

* Myſelf were mudded in that oozy bed, 2
Where my ſon lies. When did you loſe your daughter?

Pro. In this laſt tempeſt. I perceive, theſe lords

At this encounter do ſo much admire, ,
That they devour their reaſon ; and ſcarce think,

Their eyes do offices of truth, their words

Are natural breath: but howſoe'er you have '&

Been juſtled from your ſenſes, know for certain, |
That I am Proſp'ro, and that very Duke |

Which was thruſt forth of Milan; who moſt ſtrangely

Upon this ſhore, where you were wrackt, was landed

To be the lord on't. No more yet of this; . |

For *tis a chronicle of day by day, ;

Not a relation for a breakfaſt, nor-

Befitting this firſt meeting. Welcome, Sir;

This cell's my court; here have I few attendants,

And ſubjects none abroad; pray you, look in

My Dukedom fince you've given me again,

I will requite you with as good a thing ; |

At leaſt bring forth a wonder to content ye, ]

As much as me my Dukedom.

«
*

565 The TEMPEST.
SCENE opens to the Entrance of the Celb.
Here Proſpero diſcovers Ferdinand and Miranda
playing at Cheſs.

Mira. O Weet lord, you play me falſe.

Fer. No, my dear love,
I would not for the World.

Mira. Yes, for a ſcore of * you ſhall e

And I would call it fair play.
Alon. If this prove
A viſion of the Iſland, one dear ſon
Shall I twice loſe.
Seb. A moſt high miracle.
Fer. Though the ſeas threaten, they are merciful ?
I've curſed them without cauſe.

Alon. Now all the bleſſings : [Ferd. fneels,

Of a glad father compaſs thee about!
Ariſe, and ſay how thou cam'ſ here.
Mira. O! wander!
How many goodly creatures are there here ?
How bounteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has ſuch people in't! .
Pro. Tis new to thee.
Alon. What is this maid, with whom thou waſt at play E
Your eld'ſt acquaintance cannot be three hours:
Is ſhe the goddeſs that hath ſevered: us,
And brought us thus together ?
Fer. Sir, ſhe's mortal ;
But by immortal providence, ſhe's mine.
I choſe her, when I could not ask my father
For his Advice: nor thought, I had one: ſhe
Is daughter to this famou, Duke of Milan,
Of whom ſo often J have heard renown,
But never ſaw before? of whom I have

| Receiv'd a ſecond life, and ſecond father

'This lady makes him to me.
Alon. I am hers ;
But, oh, how odly will it found that I
Maſt ask my child forgiveneſs !
Pro. There, Sir, ſtop ;
Eet us not burthen our remembrance with

An heavinefs that's gone.
5 —

＋ SA 2 „ = A . a Y hos 5 ee A.

>» 4

*

The TEMPEST. 57

Con. I've inly wept, |
Or ſhould have ſpoke ere this. Look down, you Gods,
And on this couple drop a bleſſed crown:
For it is you, that have chalk'd forth the way,
Which brought us hither !
Alon. I fay, Amen, Gonzalo ! |
Gon. Was Milan thruſt from Milan, that his iſſue
Should become Kings of Naples O rejoice
Beyond a common joy, and ſet it down
In gold on laſting pillars! in one voyage
Dif Claribel her husband find at Tunis;
And Ferdinand, her brother, found a wife,
Where he himſelf was loſt ; Profþero his Dukedom,
In a poor Iſle ; and all of us, ourſelves, ,
When no man was his, own.
Alon. Give me your hands:
Let grief and ſorrow ſtill embrace his heart,
That doth not wiſh you joy !
Gon. Be't ſo, Amen!
Enter Ariel, with the Maſter and Boatfwain amazediy
LETS following. 5
O look, Sir, look, Sir, here are more of us!
I propheſy'd, if a gallows were on land,
This fellow could not drown. Now, blaſphemy,
That ſwear'ſt grace o' erboard, nor an oath on ſhore ?
Haſt thou no mouth by land? what is the news?
Boat. The beſt news is, that we have ſafely found
Our King and company; the next our ſhip,
Which but three glaſſes ſince we gave out ſplit,
Is tight and yare, and bravely rigg'd, as when
We firſt put out to ſea. .
Ari. Sir, all this ſervice
Have I done ſince I went.
Pero. My trickſey ſpirit!

Alon. Theſe are not natural events; they ſtrengthen,
From ſtrange to ſtranger. Say, how came you hither ?
Boat/. If I did think, Sir, I were well awake

Id ſtrive to tell you. We were dead a-ſleep,
And, how we know not, all clapt under hatches,
Where but ev'n now with ſtrange and ſev'ral noiſes
Of roaring, ſhrieking, howling, jingling chains,
And more diverſity of ſounds, all horrible,

*

We

58 The TEMPEST.

We were awak'd ; ſtraightway at liberty :
Where we, in all her trim, freſhly beheld

Our royal, good and gallant ſhip ; our maſter
Cap'ring to eye her; pn a trice, ſo pleaſe you,
Ev'n in a dream, were we divided from them,
And were brought moping hither. |

Ari. Was't well done?

Pro. Bravely, my diligence ; thou ſhalt be free.

Alon. This is as ſtrange a maze as e'er men trod,

And there is in this buſineſs more than nature
Was ever conduct of; ſome oracle
Muſt rectify our knowledge,
Pro. Sir, my Liege,
Do not infeſt your mind with beating on
The ſtrangeneſs of this buſineſs ; at pickt leiſure
(Which ſhall be ſhortly) ſingle I'll reſolve you,
Which to you ſkall ſeem probable, of every
Theſe happen'd accidents ; till when be chearful,
And think of each think well. Come hither, Spirit;
Set Caliban and his companions free:
Untie the ſpell, How fares my gracious Sir ?
There are yet miſſing of your company
Some few odd lads, that you remember not.
Enter Ariel, driving in Caliban, Stephano, and Trin-
| culo, in their ow apparel.

Ste. Every man ſhift for all the reſt, and let no man
take care for himſelf; for all is but fortune; Coragio,
bully-monſter, Coragio /

Trin. If theſe be true ſpies, which I wear in my head,
here's a goodly ſight. X
Cal. G Setebos, theſe be brave ſpirits, indeed
How fine my maſter is! I am afraid,

He will chaſtiſe me.

Seb. Ha, ha; |
What things are theſe, my Lord Anthon ia!
Will money buy 'em? os f

Ant. Very like; one of them
Is a plain fiſh, and no doubt marketable.

Pro. Mark but the badges of theſe men, my lords,
Then fay, if they be true: this miſhap'd knave,

His mother was a witch · and one fo ſtrong

That could controul the moon, make flows and *.

hh 1 Aa © @@ @£@@4-_ a

The TEMPEST. 9

And deal in her command without her power:
Theſe three have robb'd me; and this demy devil
(For he's a baſtard one) had p!otted with them
To take my life ; two of theſe ſe os you

Muſt know and own; this thing of darkneſs I

; Acknowledge mine.

Cal. I ſhail be pincht to death

Alon. 1s not this Stephano, my drunken butler ?

Seb. He's drunk now: where had he wine?

Alon. And Trincul; is reeling ripe ; where ſhould they
Find this grand ixir, that hath gilded em?

How cam'it thou in this pick e?

Tin. I have been in ſuch a pickle, ſince I faw you
laſt, that I fear me, will never out of my bones: I ſhall
not fear fly-blowing.

Seb. Why, how now, Stephans!

Ste. O, touch me not: I am not Szephans, but a cramp.

Pro. You'd be King o'th' ifle, Sirrah ? |

Ste. I ſhould have been a fore one then.

Alon. Tis a ſtrange thing, as &erT look'd on.

Pro. He 1s as diſproportion'd in his manners,

As in his ſhape: go, Sirrah to my cell,
Take with you your companions ; as you look
To have my pardon, trim it handſomly.

Cal. Ay, that Iwill; and Ill be wiſe hereafter,

And ſeek for grace. What a thrice double aſs

Was I, to take this drunkard for a god?

And worſhip this dull fool? |
Pro. Go to, away! lit.
Alen. Hence, and beſtow your luggage where you found

Seb. Or ſtole it rather.

Pro. Sir, I invite your highneſs, and your train,
To my poor cell; where you ſhall take your reſt
For this one night, which (part of it) I'll waſte
With ſuch diſcourſe, as I not doubt, ſhall make it
Go quick away ; the ſtory of my life,

And the particular accidents gone by,

Since I came to this Iſle : and in the morn
P11 bring you to your ſhip; and ſo to Naples:
Where | have hope to ſee the nuptials

Of theſe our dear beloved ſolemniz'd ;

And thence retire me ta my Milan, Where

3 Every

60 The TEMPEST.

Every third thepght ſhall be my grave.

Alon. I long
To hear the ſtory of your life, which m
Take the ear ſtrangely. s

Pro. T'll de iver all;
And promiſe you calm ſeas, auſpicious gales,
And fail ſo expeditious, that ſhall catch
Your royal fleet far off: My Ariel, chick,
That is thy charge: Then to the elements

Be free, and fare thou well! Pleaſe you, draw near.
[ Exeunt omnes.

—_—

EPILOGUE,

Spoken by Proſpers,

| OW my charms are all ger-thrown,
N And what ſtrength I hawve's mine oa

Which is moſt faint : and now, lis true,

1 muſt be here confin'd by you,

Or ſent to Naples, Let me not,

Since I haue my Dukedom got,

And pardon'd the deceiver, dwell

In this bare iſland by your ſpell :

But releafe me from my bands,

With the help of your good hands

Gentle breath of yours my ſails

Muft fill, or elſe my project fails,

Which was to pleaſe. For now I want

Spirits “ enforce, art to enchant 3

And my ending is deſpair,

Unleſs I be reliew'd by prayer;

Which pierces fo, that it afſaults

Mercy itſelf, and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardon'd be,

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ADVERTISEMEN:T.

HEREAS R. Waller, witd hire Accor li ', A
w printed and publifh'd ſeveral of Shake ſhears oe
and to ſcreen their lnnumerable Errors, adyettiſe, That
they are Printed as they are Acted, and Indpſtriouſly

report, that the ſaid Plays are-print#d-from Copies made

uſe of at the Theatres. .,;L therefore declare. in Juſtice
to the Proprietors, whoſe Right is baſely invaded, as
well as in Defence of Myſelf, That no Perſon eyer had,

directly or indirectly from me, any ſuch Copy or: Co-

es; neither wou'd 1 be -acceflary on any, Accqune

in Impoſing on the Pablick ſuch. Uſeleſs, Pirated,

and Maim's Editions, as are publiſh'd by the ſaid
R. Walker,

W. CHET WO OD, Prompter to His

Majeſty's Company of Comedians at

eie ae aK Prury-Jqac,

THT PR

Dram atis Perſonæx.

DU K K of Milan, Father to Silvia.

Protheus,

| Anthonio, Father to Protheus.

Thurio, 4 Poliſb Rival to Valentine,
Eglamore, Agent for Silvia in her Eſcape.
Hoſt, where Julia lodges.

Out- laws with Valentine.

Speed. 4 clowniſh Servant to Vale ning:
Launce, the like to Protheus. |
Panthion, Servant to Anthonio.

Julia, beloved of Protheus,
Silvia, beloved of Valentine.
Lucetta, Waitmg-woman te Julia.

* *

e SCENE ſometimes in Verona, and
Sometimes _ in Daten: Rs

W.

? „
„* 7
149 —_ .
3 4 5 No - .
N ko.
"4 -
*. 4 | ” — |

**

FT H. E

TWO GENTLEMEN

nd

I rather would intreat thy company,
A

| 3 To

lt is obſervable (1 knowv not for what cauſe) that the

Style of this Comedy is leſs figurairue, and more natural and

unaffetted than the greater Part of this Author's, though
ſuppos'd to be one of the firſt he wrote.

To fee the wonders pf the Wörlc abroad,
Than (living du Nogpatdis'd at home ER
ear out thy youth with ſhapetefs idfencels,..
it ſince tho low ſt, love fit, and thrive thereing; - _
nas wond when I to lob Henn.
Pros Wilt thoa be- gene? ſweet Ttentvy adieuß
Some rare note- worthy object in thy travel:
Wiſh me partaker in thy happineſs
When thou doſt meet good hap? and in thy danger,
If ever danger do inviron thee, A ;
Commend thy grieyMmtE tè my” prayer;
For I will Ge y Lead. n Va EY”
Val. And on a love-bopk pray for my ſucceſs?
Pro. Upon ſome book'l love l' pray for thee. *
Val. To be in love where ſcorn is bought with groans;
Coy looks, * heart-fore ſighs; one fading moment's
mirth, £2 £2 5 \
With'twenty watchful, weary tedfous nights,
It haply won, perhaps an _ gain:
If loſt, why then a"getevour habour W WM m
However but +-folly;bought with Witt,
Or elſe a wit by foſſy vanquiſnec.
Pro. So by your circumſtance you call me fool.
val. So by your circumftanice I fear you'll prove:
Pro. 'Tis love you cavil at; I am not love.
Val. Love is your maſter; for he maſters you,
And he that is ſo yoked by a fool,
Methinks ſhould not be chronicled” for wiſe,

1 % - .- =
WY
—ů—

— — — — —
. I'll pray for de... 2 I:
Val. That's on ſome ſhallow ſtory of deep love, *
How young Leander croſs'd the Helleſponmt,
Pro. That's a deep ſtory of a deeper love.
For he was more than over ſhoes in love,
Val. Tis true; for you are over boots in love;
And yet you never ſwom the Helleſpont.
Pro, Over the boots? nay give me not the boots,
Val. No 1 will not; for 1 thee not. by
Pro, What? a | |
Fal. To be in love, Oc.

2 »H oa»

3 mn 2% ah > 5A

4

The, Two Gentlemen: of Verona. 7

« Pro, Yet writers, ſay, as in the ſweeteſt bud
© The eating canker, dwells; ſo eating love
Inhabits in the fineſt wits of all. |
yal. And writers ſay, as the moſt forward bud
* Is eaten by the canker ere it blow; |
Even ſo by love the young, and tender wit
« [s turn'd to folly, blaſting in the bud,
* Loſing his verdure even in the prime,
« And all the fair effects of future hopes.
But wherefore waſte I time to counſel thee,
That art a votary to fond-deſite?
Qnce more adieu: my father at the road
Expects my eoming, there to ſee me ſhipp'd.
Pro. Andathither will I bring thee, Valentine.
Val. Sweet Protheus, no: now let us take our leave.
At Milan let. me hear from thee by letters
Of. thy ſucceſs in love; and what news elſe
Betideth here in abſence. of thy friend:
And. I likewiſe. will viſit thee with mine. |
Pro. All happineſs bechance to thee in Milan.
Val. As much to you at home; and ſo fare wel. ¶ Exit.
Pro, He after honour hunts, I after love; |
He leaves his friends to 2 them more;
leave my ſelf. my friends, and all for love.
Thou Julia, thou haſt metamorphos'd me;
Made me neglect my ſtudies, loſe my time,
War with good counſel, fer the world at nought;
Made wit with muſing weak; heart ſick with thou

IR Enter Speed,

Speed. Sir Prot heus, ſave you; ſaw you mv maſter 2

' 1099 1 : | + | | Þro. -

+++ This whole Scene, like many others in theſe plays,
(forme of which 1 believe were-written by Shakeſpe r, »nd*
others interpolated by the Players) is compos'd of the loweſt ,
and. moſt trifling conceits, ro. be accounted for only from
the-groſs. taſte of the age he liv d in; Populo ut placerent.
I wiſh: I had authority to leave them out, but I have
done all I could, ſet a mark of reprobation upon them,
ihewughout this edition.

4

8 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Pro. But now he parted hence t'embark for Milan.
Speed. Twenty to one then he is ſhipp'd already,
And I have play'd the ſheep in loſing him,

Pro. Indeed a ſheep doth often ſtray, |
An it the ſhepherd be awhile away. :

Speed. You conclude that my maſter .is a ſhepherd:
then, and 1 a ſheep? | 2

Pro. I do. 3 |

Speed. Why then my horns are his horns, whether
I wake or fleep. | v4

Pro. A ſilly anſwer, and fitting well a ſheep.

Speed, This proves me ſtill a ſheep. —_ ©

Pro. True; and thy maſter a ſhepherd; + +4

Speed. Nay, tbat I can deny by a circumſtance:

Fro. It ſhall go hard but I'll prove it by another.

Speed, The ſhepherd ſeeks the ſheep, and not the
ſheep the ſhepherd; but I ſeek my maſter, and my ma-
ſter feeks not me; therefore I am no ſheep. 7

Pro, The ſheep for fodder follows the ſhepherd, the
ſheplierd for food follows not the ſheep; thou for wages.
followeft thy maſter, thy maſter for wages follows.
not thee; therefore thou art a ſheep, '

Speed. Such another Er will make me cry Bai...
Pro, But doſt thou

Julia | = *
Speed. Ay, Sir; I, aloſt-mutton, gave your letter to

l er, a lac'd- mutton; and ſhe, a lac'd- mutton, gave me, a

loſt-mutton, nothing for my labour. 55
Pro. Here's too ſmall a paſture for ſuch ſtore of

muttont. | | |

2 peed. If che ground be oyercharg'd, you were beſt
ick her, ye Err Bok it ain ad BAS. oY
Pro. Nay, in that you-are aftray; 'twere beſt pound

ou, SELL CBS Ts FR ob I on
n Speed. Nay, Sir, lefs than a pound ſhall ſerve me for

carrying your letter. INES
Pro. You-miltake mean the pound. a pinfold.
Speed. From a und to s pin? fold it over and over,
"Tis threefold too Fietle for carrying a letter to your lover.
Pero. Zut what ſaid ſhe?
1 ra

ear? gaveſt thou, my letter to

i + is

oj wed et eb v0 ed £19

Se Two Gentlemen of Verona. 9

Speed. She nodded and ſaid, I.
Pro. Nod-I.? why, that's noddy. |
Speed. You miſtook, Sir, I ſaid ſhe did nod:
And you ask me if ſhe did nod, and 1 ſaid ay.
Pro. And that ſet together, is noddy.
Speed. Now you have taken the pains to ſet it toge -
ther, take it for yout pains.
Pro, No, no, you ſhall have it for bearing the letter.
Speed, Well I perceive I muſt befain to bear with you.
Pro. Why, Sir, how do you bear with me?-
Speed. Marry, Sit, the letter very orverly,
Having nothing;but the word noddy for my pains,-
Pro. Beſhrew me but you have a quick wit.
Speed. And yet it cannot overtake your ſlow purſe,
Pro. Come, come, open the matter in brief; what
ſaid ſhe} _, -: Lg
Speed. Open — purſe, that the money and the mat -·
ter may be both deliver'd.
Pro, Well Sir, here is for your pains; what ſaid ſn⸗?
Speed. Truly, Sir, I think you'll hardly win her.
Pro, W hy? could'ſt thou perceiveſo much from her?
Speed, Sir, I could perceive nothing at all from her;
No not ſo much as a ducket for delivering your letter.
And-being ſo bard to me that brought your miud,
1 fear ſhe'll prove as hard to you in telling her mind.
Give her no token but ſtones ;- for ſhe's as hard as ſteel.
Pro. What, ſaid ſhe nothing? 2
Speed. No, not ſo much as take this for chy paint;
To teſtifie your bounty, I thank you, you have teſtern'd
me: | vt *
Ir requital whereof, heticeforth. carry your letter your
ſelf ; and ſo, Sir, I'll. commend you to my maſter.
Pro. Go, go, be gone, to-ſave your ſhip from'wrack,
W bich, cannot periſh, having thee aboard,
Being deftin'd to a-drier death on ſhore.
1 muſt go ſend ſome better meſſenger : *
I fear' my Julia would not'deign my lines, |
Reteiving them from ſuch à wortlilefs poſt, . [ Exeunt.

A's SCENE

16 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

*
* P *
"
r 6 FT ITY | * 1 tt. —

— — ”T ͤä— — —

SCENE I,
Changes to J v LI A's chamber,

Enter Julia, and Lucetta, |

7. B UT ſay, Lucetta, now we are alone, |
Wouldft thou then counſel me to fall in love?
Luc. Ay, Madam, ſo you ſtumble not aun
Jul. Of all the fair reſort of gentlemen |
That ev'ry day with parle encounter me, a
In thy Nele which is worthieſt love} . 1
Luc, be aſe you repent their names, 1 I'll owe my :
0

An to my ſhallow fim ple skill |
Jul. What think'ft thou of che fair Sir Meer
Lus. As of a Knight well ſpoken, neat and fine;
Bit were J you, be never ſhould be mine.
Jul. What think thou of the rich Mercatio? ?
Tuc. Welt of his weach; bet of hinfslf;. ſo, ſo. It
| $41; Whas think 'n thou of the genete Procbius? || 4
Luc. Lord, lord! to ſees what folly reigns-in us“ || V
Jui. How no l what mern this p:fion at his name? ff A

Luc, Pardon, dear mad; tis a an — Si
Thar N unworthy & I am, Mo W
$houls condore. thud's des, ].

Jul. Why not on Protheus as of all the ry T

Live, Then chung bf many good, I rhink him dan A

Your reaſon >. Hi

Luo. den de ther bur a woman's reaſon W

E think him fo becautf@ I wine hau for. Ine

Jul. And — — wer love on bim W
Luc, Ay, if you 1hought-your Tove riot v away, ff M5
Jul. Why be of d net har Wever mard td. Ar
TAC. Yet he of all t reſt I think beft-toves err WI
Jul. His little fpeaking ſhews kis love but ſmall.
Luc. The fire that's doſeſt kegt burns moſt of Auk

1

Pow

*
1 4

et

The Two Gentlemen of Verona. 11
Jul. They do not love that do not ſhew their love.
Luc. Oh, they love leaſtthat let men know their love.

Jul. I would I knew his mind,
Luc. Peruſe this r, madam,
Jul. To Julia; lay from whom?
Luc. That the contents will ſhew.
Jul. Say, ſay ; who gave it thee?
Luc. Sir Valentine's page; and ſent, I think, from
Protheas. |
He would have giv'n it you, but I being by
Did in your name receive it; pardon mg...
Jul. Now by my medeſiy a goodly: broker!
Dare you preſume: to harbour, wanton lines ?
To whiſper and conſpire againſt my youth ?
Now truſt me, 'tis an office: of great worth,
And you an officer. fic for the place.
There take the paper; ſee it be retur nd,
Or elſe return no more into my ſight.
Tuc. To plead for love deſerves: more fee than hate.
Jul. Will ye be gone? | 2
Tuc. That you may ruminate;” Kxit.
Jul. And yet 1 would I had O er- loo d the ſetter.
It were a ſhame to call her back again, 2
And pray her tot fault, for which bichid: her,
What fool! is ſhe that knows I am a maid,
And wauldl not force the letter to my view?
Since maids in modeſty ſay no to that |
Which they would have the-proft''rer conſtrue ay,
Fie, fie; how way-ward is this fooliſh love,
That like a teſty babe will fcratch the nurſe, -
And preſently all humbled kiſs the rod?
How churliſhly. T chid Lucetia hence,
When willingly I would have had hev here?
How angerly 1 taughe my brow to from,
When inward joy enfore'd my hett to ſmise?
My penance is to call Lacetta back, |
And ask remiſhoa for my foly paſt,
What ho! Ancetra fo |

4 .» '# * 0 N N
* 7 :

Re enter

12 The Tv Gentlemen. of Verona. |

Re-enter 8

Lac. What would your ladyſhip

Jul. Is't near dinner-time?

Luc. I would it were,
That you might kill your ſtomach on your * 3
And not upon your maid.

Jul. What is't that you
Took up ſo gingerly r

Jul. Why di dat thou ſtoop then?

Tuc. Tol take a paper up that I let fall,

Jul. And is that paper nothing ?}

Luc. Nothing concerning me.

Jul. Then let it lye for thoſe that it concerns.

Luc. Madam, it will not lye where it concerns,
Unleſs it have a falſe interpreter.

Jul. Some love of yours hath writ to you in A

Luc. That I might ſing it, madam, to a tune;
Give me a note; your ladyſnip can =

Jul. As little by ſuch toys as may be poſſible; .
Beſt ſing it to the tune of Ligbt O *

Lc. It is too heavy for ſo light a tune. 75 5

Jul. Heavy ? belike it hath ſome burtben —
Luc. Ay; and melodious were it, you would fng 0
Jul. And Why not you?:
Tuc: I cannot reach ſo hizh. N
Jul. Let's ſee your ſong:
How now minion:?;
Luc. Keep tune there ſtill, ſo you will fing i irouts+-
And yet methinks I do not like the tune. |
Jul: You do nee +: FO -4
Luc. Mo, madam, tis too arp.
Jul, You, minion, are too ſawey.
Luc. Nay, now you are too flat,
Aud mar the concord with too harſh a diſcant:
There wanteth but a mean to fill your fo
Jul. The mean is drewn'd with your un rly baſe

s. ladeed I bid. the: baſe for Prata.
Jus

1 0 e _" v7 PE %7 ww oo =@ FE WW 2 " FT 7 - * ow —— WW Y

The ttvo Gentlemen of Vetona. 13

Jul. This babble ſhall not henceforth ttouble me;
Here is a coil with proteftati.n!. ' [ Tears it.
Go, get you gone, and let the papers lye: |
You would be fingring them to anger me.

Luc. She makes it ſtrange, but ſhe would be beſt

pleasd | n |
To be ſo anger'd with another letter. Exit.

Jul. Nay; would I were ſo anger'd with ame?
Oh hateful hands to tear ſuch loving words;

Injurious waſps, to feed on ſuch ſweet honey,
And kill the bees that yield it with your ſtings!
IU kiſs each ſeveral paper for amends;
Look, here is writ kind Julia; unkind Julia!
Az in revenge of thy ingratitude; * + |
I throwthy name againff the bruiſing ones;
Trampling contemptuouſly on thy diſdain.
Look here is writ; Love-wounded Protheus.
; Poor wounded name! my boſom, as a bed, |
* Shall lodge thee till thy wound be throughly beal'd +
Is And thus I ſearch it with a ſov*caign kiſs, |
But twice or thrice was Protheus written down:
Be calm, good wind, blow net a word away,
»Till 1 have found each letter in the letter, |
x Except mine own name: That ſome” whirl- wind bear-
* Vnto a ragged, fearful, hanging rock, et
* And throw it thence into the raging ſea.
J Lo here in one line is his name twice writ:
e Poor forlorn Protheus, paſſonate Protheus, -
To the fest Julia: that I'll tear away;
And yet I will not; ſith ſo-prettily: |
He couples it to his complaining names:
| Thus will I fold them one upon another;
4 Now kiſs, embrace, contend; do what you will.

Enter Lucetta;

Luc. Madam, dinner is ready, and your father ſtays, -
Jul. Well let us po. | |
Luc. What, ſhall theſe papers lye like tell-tales here?
Jul. M thou veſpect them, beſt to take them wp.
85 Lt.

14 The Two Gentlemen of Verona;

Luc. Nay I was taken up for lay ing them down:

Yet here they ſhall not lie for catehing cold.
Jul. I ſee you have a month's mind to them.
Luc. Ay madam, (you may ſay what fights vauſees.

I ſee things. too, although = judge I wink,
Ful. Come, come, will't — you got FExennt, |

— * *

SCENE I.
Znter Anthonio and panthion- be : | |

” i. 1
q » , 4

—— ———— _

E LL me, Panthion, what ſad talk was that |
W herewith my brother held Four is the
cloiſter ?

Pant. Twasaf his nephew Prot hes, your fag.

Ant. Why, what of him: 750
Pant. He wonder'd that your lordſhip.

Would ſuffer him to ſpend his yonth at home:
While other men of ſlender reputation
Put forth theit ſons to feek;preferment out:
Some to the wars to try their fortune there;
Soma to diſcover Iſlands far ay;
Some to the ſtudious unives nnn en
— 1 or for all theſe: exerciſers. 7 =_ ASH

Ant.

He ſaid, that Pnoshess your fon — 8
And did requeſt mots wpermyne ll - +

To let him ſpend his time no moreat bome z * 42
W hich would be great impaxchoentta. his age.
In having known na travel in his Xouthy,

Ant. Nor need 'ſi thou. mul im portuna me eker.
W hereon; thia month I bave: haet ring. a
I have cenſider'd well his loſs of time;

And how he cannot beg;

Not being try'd,, nortator'd in the world:
Experience is. hy joduſtry atchie vr d. reel
And per ected by the ſwift courſe af time: »
Them tell me, widen were I beſh toifend i? |
Pax. L chin v 8 * 5

| f.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Bf
How his companion, youthful Valentine, |
Attends the Emperor in his royal court. |

Ant. 1 know it well. . N

* Twere goed, I think, your lordfhip ſent him

thithen; F |
There ſhall he praQtife tilts and tournaments,
Hear ſweet urfy, converſe with noblemen,
And be in eye- of every exerciſe # - ECD
Worthy his youth and noblenefs of birth.

Ant, I like thy counfe};. well haſt thou advis'd;.
And that thou may 'N perceive how well 1 like it,
The execution of it ſhall malte known; ˖
Ev'n with the _ expedition”

I will diſpatch him to the Emperor's court.

Pant. To-morrow, may it pleaft you, Don Alphonſo,
With other gentlemen of good eſteem,
Are journey ing to ſalute the Emperor, |
And to comment their ſervice to his will. |

Ant, Good company : with them ſhall Pror heut go.
And in good time, now will we break with him.

Euter Protheus.

Pro. Sweet love, ſweet lines, fweet life;

Here is her hand, the- agent of her heart;

Here is her -oath for love; her honour's pawn.

©- that our fathers would applaud our loves,

To ſeal our happineſs yith their cohſents,

Oh heav'nly Julia? 5 3 f
Ant. — _ AR are you reading. there;
Pro. May't pteafe your fordflifp, tis a word or tw

Of commendation fent from e a N

Deliver 'd by a friend that came from bim. OD
Ant, Lend me the letter; let me ſee what news.
Pro. There is no news, my lord, but that be writes

How happily he lives, how wal beloy'd;

And daily graced'by the Emperor,

Wiſhing me with him, partner of his fortune,

Ant. And* how ſtand you affected to his wiſh ?
Pro, As one relying on your Jordſhip's will,

ta. The To Gentlemen of Verona?

And not depending on his friendly win.

Ant. My will is ſomething forted with his wiſa:
Muſe not that I thus ſuddenly proceed;
For what Iwill, I will; and there's an end.
Jam reſolv'd that thou ſhalt ſpend ſome time”
With Valentine in the Emp'ror's-court: -

What maintenance he from his friend receives,
Like exhibition thou ſhalt have from me:
To-morrow be in readineſs to go.

Excuſe it not, for I am peremptory. ; | +
Pro, My lord, I cannot be ſo ſoon provided;
Pleaſe to deliberate a day or two.: | | 1

Ant, Look what thou want'ſt ſhall be ſent after thees
No more of ſtay; to-morrow thou muſt go.

Come on Panthian; you ſhall be employ'd cad
To baſten on his expedition. [Exe. Ant. and Pant:

Pro, Thus bave 1 hun d the fire ſor fear of burning,
And drench'd me in the ſea, where 1 am drown'd:
1 fear'd to ſhew my father Julia's letter,

LefF he ſhouli, take exceptions to my love;
And with the vantage of mine own extuſe
Hath he * moſt againſt my love.
Oh how this ſpring of love reſembleth well

Th* uncertain glory of an April day, | —
Which now ſhews all the beauty of the ſun,

And by and by a cloud takes all- away. 22.

ne ene

Pant. Sir Proteus, your father calls for ou

is in haſte, therefore 1 pray you g.
Fro. Why this it is! my. heart accords thereto, -- ;

And yet a thouſand times it anfwers ao. Excunt.

*

—
*

-

P24)

-
00
a:

The Favs Gentlemen of Verona, 17

ACT IL Sc ENE I.

8 C EN E changes to Milan.

es | Lau Valentine and. —
Seed. l R, your glove: |
ati D Fal. Not mine; my gloves 2 are on.
&s Speed. Why then this may be yours, for this. is but
7 one,

Val. Ha! let me ſee: ay, give it me, it's mine :.
Sweet ornament that decks e divine, |
At Silvia! Silvia | |

Speed. Madam Silvia ! Madam Silvia!

Val. How now Sirrah? |

Speed. She is not within heari „Sir.

Val. Why Sic. who bad you ca afl her?

Speed. Your worſhip, Sir, or elſe 1 miftook,

Fal. Well, you'll ſtill be too forward, |

Speed. And yet | was laſt chidden for being ſo Gow.

Val. Go too Sir, tell me, do you know Madam _

Speed. She that your wor ſhip loves?

Ful. Why, how: know you that Jam in ove? + |

| Speed. Marr by-thefe' ſpecial marks: firſt; you
! have learn'd, le Sir Prot heus to wreath your arms
like a male. content, te reliſn à love - ſong like a Robin-

red- breaſt, to walk alone like one that had the peſti-

lence, to ſigh like a ſthookboy: that had loſt his 4 5 C,

to weep like a young wench that ha loſt her grandam,

to faſt like one that takes diet, to watch like one that

fears robbing, to ſpeak puling like a beggar at Hal-
3 You. were wont, when you laugh'd, to
crow

18. The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

crow like a cock; when you walk'd, to walk like one
of the lions; when you faſted, it was preſently after a
dinnet; when you look'd ſadly, it was for watt of

mony : and now you are metamoyplios'd with 7 ov

1 ſtreſe, that when I look on you I can hardiy think

| you my maſter, - |

val. Are all thefe things perceiv'd in me? N :

Speed. They are all perceiv'd without ye.

Val. Without me ? they cannot.

Speed. Without yon? | nay that's certain; for with-
out you were ſo ſimple, none elſe wou'd : But you
are ſo without theſe follies, that theſe follies are with-
in you, and ſhine through you like the water in an
urinal; that not an eye that ſees you, but is a phy i-
cian to comment on your malady. ö

Val. But · tell me, doſt thou know my lady Silvia ?

Speed. She that you gaze on ſ ; as ſhe: {its at ſup- |

er? 9 |
x val. Haſt thou obſiry*d>that? evin: ſue I mean.

Speed. Why; Sir, I know her: not. |

Val. Doft thou know her dy gazing on hen. and?
yet know'ft her not? EL,

Speed. Is ſhe not hard- favour'd, en 21th ©

Val. Not ſo fair; boy, ab well fvom d.

Speed. Sir, I know that: well enough. F 3

Val. What doſt thou knoõ-w-? 5

Speed. That ſhe is not ſo fair, ar of you all L &-
vour'd.

Val. I mean that har W is exquite,

But her favour infinite.

Speed. That's becauſe the one is painted, and the
other out of all count,

val. How painted? and how out of count?

Speed. Marry Sir, ſo painted to make her fair, that
no man counts of her beauty,

Val. How eſteem'ſt thou me? I account of ker
beauty. & Ke

Speed. Youinever ſaw ber ſince ſhe was teform'd.

Val. How long hath the: been deform'd3 5

2% Ever. ſince you lawd her.

ral,

he Two Gentlemen , Vexona.. 19

Val. 1 have lov'd ber ever fince I ſaw her,
And ſtill I ſee her beautiful.

Speed, If 2 love her, you cannot. ſee. Rer.

Val. Why?

Speed. Becauſe love is blind. O that you bad mine
eyes, or ycur own eyes had the lights they were wont
10 —_ when you chid at Sir Protheus bon going un-

rter” m_

val. What ſhould I ſee then? _

Speed, Your own preſent folly, an and her ter pang de-
formity : for he being in love, could ee to gar-
ter his hoſe; and you being 1 in love, — edo Pot.
on your boſe, _.

Val. Belike, box, 1 you are in love: for, lat.
morning you 47 not ſee 0 wipe m Inos.

Speed. True, Sir, I was in love wink my bed,, Ir.
thank Tics ou ſwing'd me for my love, which makes
me the r to chide you for yours,

Pal. 15 concluſion, I and affected to her. me

Sper. I would you were ſet, ſo your affection
would ceaſe,

Val, Laſt night ſhe n me to wilte bene lines
to one ſhe loves. 6 i

$p#4. And bave you?

Val. I have.

Speed. Are they not lame

Val. No, boy, but as we as 1 * do them: |
Peace, herexſhe comes. .

„ *
1 "IAG +4 14 a WITS!

Enter Süvia. „ e IY
u Oh excellent motion! oh ex 8 et

Now will he interpret to her. 3
Val, Madam and Miſtreſs, a thouſand. good-morram 7
Speed. Oh! 'give ye good-even ; here's. a million of

manners,

Sil. Sir Valentine and ſervant, to you two thouſand. © -

1 Speed. He ſhould give her intereſt ; and ſhe gives it

i. ...

Val. As you injoin'd me, I have writ your letter, .

Unto

26 The Two Gentlemen of Verona;
Unto the ſecret; nameleſs friend of 'yours ;
Which I was much unwilling to proceed in,
But for my duty to your lady ſſrip. „
: Si}, 1 thank you, gentle ſervant, tis very clerkly
one, n |
Val. Now truſt me; Madam, it came hardly
For being ignorant to whom it goes, 5
I wiit at random, very Joubtfully. 3 ;
Sil. Perchance you think too much of ſo much pains ?
val. No, Madam, ſo it ſteed you, I will write,
Pleaſe, you command, a thouſand times as mach

Sil. A r well, I gueſs the ſequel;

And yet I wilt nor name it, yet I care not,

Aud pet take this again, and yet I thank you;

Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more.

Speed. Ard yet you will; and yet, axother yet. Aſide.
Val. What means your ladyſhip ? do you not like it?
Sil. Yes, yes, the lines are very quaintly writ;

Jut ſtnce unwillingly, take them again; |

Nay, take them, t

Val. Madam, they are for you. 3

i. Ay, ay; you writ them, Sir, at my requeff;

- But I will none of them; they are for you: _

I would have had them writ more movingly. _
Pal. Picaſe-you,: I'll write your lady ſhip another;
Sil. Ahd' when it's writ; for my ſakè read it over;

And if it pleaſe you, ſo, if not; why ſo. ö
Val. It it ple: ſe me, Madam, what then?

Sil. Why if it pleaſè you, take it for your labour;

And ſo good-morrow; ' 2+ er . Exit.

Speed. O jeſt unfeen, infcrutable; inviſible, as à floſe

On a man's face, or a weathercock on a Rt#eple! ©

My. maſter ſues to her, and ſhe hath taught her ſuitor,

He being ber pupil, to become her tutors

© excellent device! was there ever heard a better?

That my maſter being the ſcribe, to himſelf ſhould write

the letter?” | :
Val. How. now, Sir} what are you':reaſoning.with
wur ſelf? | ö |

Sptod.

ie.
$4

Be Two Gentlemen of Verona, _ 11

Steed. Nay, 1 was riming; 'tis you have the

"FEAlON.

Fal. To do when:
Speed. To be a ſpokes- man from Madam Silvia.
Val. To whom;
Spe ed. To your ſelf N why, the woes you by a fi
gure. |
Val. What fig ure? |
Speed, By a — I ſhould ſay.
Val. Why, ſhe hath not writ tome?
Speed. What need ſhe, | SIS
When ſhe hath made you write to your ſelf:

Why, do you not perceive the jeſt?

val. No, believe me.
Speed. No believing you indeed, Sir: but did you.

perceive her earneſt?

Val. She gave me none, except an angry word.
Speed, Why, ſhe hath given you a letter.
Val, That's 'the letter I writ to her friend.
2a And that ny hath ſhe deliver'd, and there” $
an end,
Val. I would i it were no worſe:
Speed, 1'll warrant you tis as well :
For often have you writ to her, and ſhe in mod
Or glſe for want of idle time, could not again rep
Or fearing elſe ſome meſſenger Sar _—_ her mind
diſcover,
Her _ hath taught her love hinoſelf to write unto hes
lover.
All this I fpeak in print; tor in print I found it.
Why muſe you, Sir? 'tis n. 0
— . have din'd.
d. Ay, but hearken sir; tho; * e love
a feed on the air, I am one that am nouriſh'd by
my victuals; and would fain have meat: oh be not
like your miſtreſs; be moved, be moved. [Exeunt.

reply

"SCENE

22 De T \Contlenion of Verona.

3 * 992 . 4 1 * * * ; » 2 >
I. - - 0 * * „ 1 * L " * „ 45 2

- | . rr
„

Changes to Verona.

Enter Protheus and Julia.

8 N AVE patienge, gentle Juli. |

Jul. ,wiſt1where is no xemedy; |

Pro, Wie poſſi bly I can, -Lwilkgetuen. .

Jul. If you return not, you / will return the ſooner:
Keep this remembrance- fot hy Jalia s ſake.

[Giuing a ring.

, Why. then we'll wake exchange z here, take

ou this.
7 Jul.. And ſeal the in with aboly kils.

Pro. Hexe is my hand For, my ttue geoſtaneß:
And when that hour Orſlips ane in che day,
Mberein I ;figh nagt, Julia, for thy ke.

The next enſuing hour ſome foul miſchance
Torment me, for my love s forgetfulneſ:!
My father ſtays my coming; on not:
as he. tide, is now; nay .aot-the-tide.of years;
«tide will ſtay me-ongeraban, h fpould: {Exit J als
Fine eder bee 2. 0 ? \Þ
9.2 7 true love ſhoukd do; it cannot

9 betterrdseds than words to: . it.:
nen. 5

Pan. Sir prot heus, you are na. tor.
Pre, Ho; me.
Alas eee keen fas, byers dank. {Sens
a Mou 16 elt:

s CE N Al.

Enter Launce, with his dog Crab.

i 6 my Na „ *twill be this hour ere I have done
* weeping; all the kind of the Launc have this very
: * laults

TH

i

t.

not a tear, nor ſpeaks a we

a would woman,

BIG Few Gentlemen of Verona. + 23
c — : I have receiv'd my proportion, *like the pro-
© djgions fon, and am going with Sir Pretheus to the
* Imperial's court. Tthink Crab my dog be the fowreſt-
© patur'd'dog'that lives: my mother weeping, my fa-

_ © ther wailing,-my lifter crying, our maid howkipg, our
cat wfinging her hands, and all our houfe ia a great

147 did. not this cruel-hearted cur ſnhed one
tear! he is à tone, à very 'pebblEſtone, and has no
more j pity in him than a dog: a Jeu .woute have
* wept to have ſeen our parting; why my Saddam
* having no ey look you, wept herfelf blind at

« lexi
p perp exit /;

es,
» 4 my+parting; Nay, ' 1'll how you 'the*minner of
Lit! Wit dee Uh father; no this left hee is my
<:firher ;"it6, no, this left moe is my mother; nay,
that cannot be ſo neither; yes it is ſa, it is ſo; it

„ hath the worſer ſole; this ſhoe with the hole in it is

mycntother, and this my fütber; a vengeance on't.
F. there tis: no Sir, this taff is my ifer;"for-look

* you, ſhe is as white as a lilly, and as ſmall as a wand;

**©<3this hat ĩs Nan our maid; 1 am the dog; no, the cog
is bimſelf, and I am the dog: oh, the 55 is me, an
Tam my Tf; ay, ſo 10; now come 1

my father;
* father, your bheſſing; now thould not the ſhoe ſpeak
© a word for weeping ; now ſhould I kiſs my father
well he weeps on: now, come I to my mother; oh
© that he could ſpeak now like * an ould woman! well
* 1 kiſs bgr;.why.there tis; here's gay mother's breath
* up and down: now come I to my ſiſter; mark, the
© moan ſhe makes: now the do allthis whe Meds

a but ſee how 1 lay
* the dulb&with-my-rears, geo

Enter Pa nthion.

Pant. Launce, away, away, aboard thy maſter is
ſhipp'd and thor art ta poft, after with oars: what's the
matter? why weep'ſt thou, man ? away afs, you. will

© * -

loſe the tide, if you rarry any longer.

Laun. It is no matter if the tide ,were, Toft, for jt is
the unkindeſt tide that ever any man ty d.

24 . The. Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Pant. What's the unkindeſt tide? atoll
Ln. Why, he that's ty'd here; Crab, my dog.
Tant. Tut, man; I mean thou'le loſe the flood; and
in loſing the flood, loſe thy voyage, and in loſing thy
voyage, loſe thy-maſter; and in loſing thy maſter, loſc
thy ſervice; and in loſing thy ſervice, —— why doft

thou ſtop my mouth? | I x

--- , Lawn. For fear thou ſhould'ſt loſe thy tongue.

pant. Where ſhould I loſe my tongue? |

Tax. In thy tale.

© - Pals. a0 hy tall > |

Tan. Loſe the flood, and the voyage, and the

... maſter, and the ſervice, and the tide; why, man, it
the river were dry, I am able to. fill it with my tears;
if the wind were down, I could drive the boat with
my ſighs... hy. . | of

Tant. Come. come, away, man, I was ſent to call thee,
Laun. Sir, call me what thou dar'ſt.

Pant. Wilt thou go? b
Laun, Well I will go. | * '[Exeunt.
£ CP WH TN | i
l üben 1
Changes to Milan. f
Enter Valentine, Silvia, Thurio and Speed.
5% CErvant. ,
| Val. Miſtreſs, | | :
Speed. Maſter, Sir Thurio frowns on you. | oy
Val. Ay boy it's for love. \;
Spred. Not of you. o | a
Val. Of my miſtreſs then. | | |
| = 4a" 'Twere good you knockt him. |
Sil. Servant, you are fad, |
Val. Indeed, madam, I Teem fo, „
Thu, Seem you that you are not? | V

Val. Haply I do,
Thu. So do counterfeits,

The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 25

Val, So do you.

Thu, What ſeem I that I am not?

Val. Wiſe. n

Thu. What inftance of the contrary ?

Val. Your Folly. + |

Thu. And how quote you my folly?

Val. I quote it in your jerkin.

Thu. My jerkin is a doublet.

Val. Well then, I'll double your folly.
+ Thu, How? | |

Sil. What angry, Sir Thurio? do you change colour?
; Val. Give him leave, Madam; he is a kind of Came-
108,

Thu. That hath more mind to feed on your blood,
than live in your air. | |

Val. You have ſaid, Sir.

The. Ay Sir, and done too, for this time.

Val. I know it well, Sir; you always end ere you
begin. 4

Sil. A fine volley of words, gentlemen, and quickly
ſhot off. |

Val. *Tis indeed, Madam; we thank the giver.

Sil. Who is that, ſervant? |

Val. Yourſelf, ſweet lady, for you gave the fire : Sir
Thurio borrows his wit from 25 ladyſhip's looks, and
ſpends what he borrows kindly in your company.

The. Sir, if you ſpend word for word with me, I

fhall make! your wit bankrupt.

Val. I know it well, Sir; you have an exchequer of
words, and, I think, no other treaſure to give your

followers: for it appears, by their bare liveries, that they

71 þ

e

ive by your bare words.
Sil. No more, gentlemen, no more: Here comes my

father.
SCENE V.

Enter the Duke.

Duke. Now, daughter Silvia, you are hard beſt;

Sir Valentine, your father's in good health :
B What

26 The Two Gentlemen of Verona,

What fay you to a letter from your friends
Of much good news? i

Val. My lord, I will be thankful
To any meſſenger from thence.

Duke. Know you Don Antonio, your countryman?

Val. Ah, my good lord, I know the gentleman
To be of worth and worthy eſtimation; |
And not without deſert ſo well reputed.

Duke. Hath he not a ſon?

Val. Ay, my good lord, a ſon that well deſerves «+
The honour ht regard of ſuch a father.

Duke. You know him well?

Val. J knew him as myſelf, for from our infancy
We have converſt and ſpent our hours together :
And tho' myſelf have been an idle truant,
Omitting the ſweet benefit of time,

To cloth mine eyes with angel-like perfection;
Yet hath Sir Protheus, for that's his name,
Made uſe and fair advantage of his days;

His years but young, but his experience old;
His head unmellow'd, but his judgment ripe;
And in a word, (for far behind his worth
Come all the praiſes that I now beſtow)

He is complcat in feature and in mind,

With all e to grace a gentleman. --

Duke. ERIE me, Sir, but if he make this good,
He is as worthy for an empreſs's love,

As meet to be an Emperor's counſellor ,

Well, Sir, this gentleman is come to me,

With commendations from great potentates ;
And here he means to ſpend his time a while.
I think 'tis no unwelcome news to you.

Val. Should I have wiſh'd a thing, it had been he.

Duke. Welcome him then according to his wor th:
Silvia, I ſpeak to you; and you, Sir Thurio;

For Valentine, 1 need not cite him to it: |
I'll fend him hither to you preſently. Exit. Duke.

Val. This is the gentleman I told your lady ſhip
Had come along with me, but that his miſtreſs
Did hold his eyes lockt in her cryſtal looks.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona. 27
Sil. Belike that now ſhe hath enfranchis'd them

Upon ſome other pawn for fealty.
Val. Nay ſure I think ſhe holds ther priſs'ners till.
Sil. Nay then he ſhould be blind; and being blind,
How could he ſee his way to ſeek out you?
Val. Why lady, love hath twenty pair of eyes.
Thu. They fay that love hath not an eye at all.
Val. To ſee ſuch lovers, Thurio, as yourſelf;
Upon a homely object love can wink.

SCENE VI.

Exter Protheus.

Sil. Have done, have done; here comes the gentleman.
Val. Welcome, dear Pratheus: miſtreſs, I beſeech you
Confirm this welcome with ſome ſpecial favour.
Sil. His worth is warrant for his welcome hither,
If this be he you oft have wiſh'd to hear from.
Val. Miſtref, it is: Sweet lady, entertain him
To be my fellow-ſervant to your ladyſhip.
Sil. Too low a miſtreſs for ſo high a 33
Pro. Not ſo, {ſweet lady; but too mean a ſervant
To have a look of ſuch a worthy miſtreſs.
Val. Leave off diſcourſe of diſability :
Sweet lady entertain him for your ſervant.
Pro. My duty will I boaſt of, nothing elſe.
Sil. And duty never yet did want his meed ;
Servant, you're welcome to a worthleſs miſtreſs.
Pro. Tl die on him that ſays ſo but yourſelf.
Sil. That you're welcome?
Pro. That you are worthleſs. | >
Thu. Madam, my lord your father would ſpeak with

ou. .
WY I wait upon his pleaſure; come, Sir Thurio,
Go with me. Once more my new Tervant, welcome:
Pl leave you to confer of home affairs;
When you have done, we look to hear from you.
Pro. We'll both attend upon your ladyſhip.
| [Ex, Sil. and Thu.
B 2 SCENE

28 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

SCENE VII.

Val. Now tell me how do all from whence you
came? | kd
Pro. Your friends are well, and have them -much
commended. |
Val. And how do yours?
Pro. I left them all in health.
"= How does your lady? and how thrives your
ove? |
Pro. My tales of love were wont to weary you;
I know you joy not in a love-diſcourſe. |
Val. Ay, Protheus, but that life is alter'd now;
I have done.penance for contemning love,
Whoſe high imperious thoughts have puniſh'd me
With bitter faſts, with penitential groans,
With nightly tears and daily heart-ſore ſighs.
For in revenge of my contempt of love,
Love hath chac'd ſleep from my enthralled eyes,
And made them watchers of mine own heart's ſorrow,
O gentle Protheus, loye's a mighty lord,
And hath ſo humbled me, as 1 confeſs
There is no woe to his correction;
Nor to his ſervice, no ſuch joy on earth.
Now no 'diſcourſe, except it be of love;
Now can I break my faſt, dine, ſup and fleep
Upon the very naked name of love.
Pro. Enough: 1 read your fortune in your eye.
Was this the idol that you worſhip ſo? ay
Val. Even ſhe; and is ſhe not a heay'nly ſaint?
Pro. No: but ſhe is an carthly paragon. |
* Val. Call her divine.
Pro. I will not flatter her. | |
Val. O flatter me; for love delights in praiſe.
Pro. When I was ſick you gave me bitter pills,
And I muſt miniſter the like to you. |
Val. Then ſpeak the truth by her, if not divine,
Vet let her be a principality, _ |
Sov'reign to all the creatures on the earth. |
2 0 Pro.

Py 1 *

The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 29

Pro. Except my miſtreſs.

Val. Sweet, except not any,
Except thou wilt _— againſt my love.

Pro. Have I not reaſon to prefer my own?

Val. And I will help thee to. prefer her too:
She ſhall be dignify'd with this high honour,
To bear my lady's train, leſt the baſe earth
Should from her veſture chance to ſteal a kiſs;
And of fo great a favour growing proud,
Diſdain to root the fummer-ſ{welling flower,
And make rough winter everlaſtingly.

Pro. Why Valentine, what bragadiſm is this?

Val. Pardon me, Protheus; all I can is nothing
To her, whoſe worth makes other worthies nothing;
She is alone.

Pro. Then let her alone. |

Val. Not for the world: why man, ſhe is mine own,
And I as rich in having ſach a Jewel,
As twenty ſeas, if all their ſand were pearl,
The water nectar, and the rock pure gold.
Forgive me that I do not dream on thee,
Becauſe thou ſeeſt me doat upon my love.
My fooliſh rival, that her father likes,
Only for his poſſeſſions are ſo huge,
Is gone with her along, and I muſt after;
For love thou. know'ft is full of Jealouſy.

Pro. But ſhe loves you?

Val. Ay, and we are betroth'd; nay more, our mar-

riage, |

With all the cunning manner of our flight,
Determin'd of ; how I muſt climb her window,
The ladder made of cords, and all the means
Plotted and *greed on for my happineſs.
Good Protheus, go with me to my chamber,
In theſe affairs to aid me with thy counſel.
Pro. Go on before; I ſhall enquire you forth.
I muſt unto the road, to diſembark
Some neceſſaries that I needs muſt uſe;
And then I'll preſently attend you.

Val. Will you make haſte?

3 3 Pre.

„ —ñ—ů—

30 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Pro. I will. 3 [Exit Val.

Ev'n as one heat another heat expels, |

Or as one nail by ſtrength drives out another;

So the remembrance of my former love

Is by a newer object quite forgotten.

Is it mine then, or Valentino's praiſe?

Her true perfection or my falſe tranſgreſſion,

That makes me reaſonleſs to reaſon thus?

She's fair; and ſo is Julia that I love;

That I did love, for now my love is thaw'd;

Which like a waxen image gainſt a fire,

Bears no impreſſion of the thing it was.

Methinks my zeal to Valentine is cold,

And that I love him not as I was wont,

On! but I love his lady too too much;

And that's the reaſon I love him ſo little.

How ſpall I doat on her with more advice,

That thus without advice begin to love her?

Tis but her picture I have yet beheld,

And that hath dazled ſo my reaſon's light:

But when J look on her perfections,

There is no reafon but I ſhall be blind.

If I can check my erring love, 1 will; |

If not, to compaſs her T'll uſe my ſxill. [Exit,

" "SCENE: um.
Enter Speed and Launce.

| Speed Taunce, by mine honeſty welcome to + Milan.

Lawn. Forſwear not thyſelf, ſweet youth; for I am not
welcome: I reckon this always, that a man is never
undone *till he be hang'd, nor never welcome to a place

' till ſome certain ſhot be paid, and the hoſteſs ſay wel-

come. | |
Speed. Come on, you mad -cap; II to the ale-houſe

with you preſently, where, for one ſhot of five-pence,

thou ſhalt have FA thouſand welcomes. But 5 —

1 It is Padua in the former editions. See the
Kore on Ad 3. Scene 2.

*

The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 31

how did thy maſter part with Madam Julia?
Lawn. Marry, after they clos'd in earneſt, they parted
very fairly in jeſt. |

Speed. But ſhall ſhe marry him ?

Laun. No.

Speed. How then? ſhall he marry her?

'Laun. No, neither.

Speed. What, are they broken?

Lawn. No, they are both as whole as a fiſh.

Speed. Why then how ſtands the matter with them ?

Lawn, Marry thus, when it ſtands well with him, it
ſtands well with her.“

Speed. But tell me true, will't be a match?

Laun. Aſk my dog: if he ſay ay, it will; if he fay
2 it will; if he ſhake his tail, and ſay nothing, it
will.

Speed, The concluſion is then, that it will.

Laun. Thou ſhalt never get ſuch a ſecret from me,
but by a parable. -

Speed, *Tis well that I get it ſo: but Launce, how
fay'ſt thou that my maſter is become a notable lover?

Laun. I never knew him otherwiſc.

Speed. Than how ? :

Laun. A notable Lubber, as thou reporteſt him to be.

Speed. Why, thou whoreſon aſs, thou miſtak'ſt me.

Laun. Why fool, I meant not thee; I meant thy
maſter.

Speed. I tell thee, my maſter is become a hot lover.

B 4 Laun.

—
—

2 — — — *

b it ſtands well with her.

Speed. What an aſs art thou? I underſtand thee not.

Laun. What a block art thou, that thou canſt not?
My ſtaff underſtands me.

Speed.” What thou ſay'ſt?

Lain. Ay, and what I do too; look thee, II but lean
and my ſtaff underſtands me.

Speed. It ſtands under thee indeed.

Laun. Why, ſtand-under, and underſtand is all one.

Speed. But tell me true, &. '

32 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Laun. Why, I tell thee, I care not the* he burn him-
ſelf in love: If thou wilt go with me to the ale-houſe,
ſo; if not, thou art an Hebrew, a Few, and not worth
the rame of a Chriſtian.

Speed. Why?

Lan. Becauſe thou haſt not ſo much charity in thee
as to go te the alc-houſe with a Chriſtian: wilt thou

Speed. At thy fervice. [ Exennt.
SCENE IX.
Euter Protheus ſolus.

Tro. To leave my Julia; ſhall I be forſwern?
To love fair Silvia; ſhall I be forſworn?
To wrong my friend, I ſhall be much forſworn :
And ev'n that pow'r which gave me firſt my oath
Provokes me to this dreefill perjury. |
Love bad me ſwear, and love bids me fot ſwear:
O ſwect ſuggeſtion love, if thou haſt ſinn'd,
Teach me, thy tempted ſubject, to excuſe it.
At firſt 1 did adore a twinkling ſtar,
But now I worſhip a celeſtial ſun.
Unheedful vows may heedfully be broken;
And he wants wit that wants reſolved will,
To learn his wit t'exchange the bad for better,.
Fie, fie, unreverend tongue, to call her bad,
Whoſe Sov'raignty ſo oft thou haſt preferr'd
With twenty thouſand ſoul-confirmed oaths.
J cannot leave to love, and yet I do:
But there I leave to love where I ſhould love:
Julia 1 loſe, and Valentine I loſe:
If I keep them, I needs muſt loſe myſelf :
Tf I loſe them, thus find I but their loſs;
For Valentine, myſelf; for Julia, Silvia:
I to myſelf am dearer than a friend;
For love is ſtill moſt precious in itſelf;
And Silvia, witneſs heav'n that made Her fair,
Shews Julia but a ſwarthy Erhiope.

I
R
A
þ
I
*
1
1
.
]
(
J
]
]
]

The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 33

I will forget that Julia is alive,
Remembring that my love to her is dead:
And Valentine I'll hold an enemy,

Aiming at Silvia as a fweeter friend.

I cannot now prove conſtant to my ſelf,
Without ſome treachery us'd to Valentine :
This night he meaneth with a corded ladder
To climb celeſtial Silvias chamber window;

My ſelf in council his competitor.

Now preſently P'll give her farther notice

Of their diſguiſing, and pretended flight:

Who, all enrag'd, will baniſh Valentine:

For Thurio he intends ſhall wed his daughter.

But Valentine being gone, Tl quickly croſs,

By ſome ly trick, blunt Thurio's dull proceeding.
Love lend me wings, to make my purpoſe ſwift,
As thou haſt lent me wit to plot his drift. Exit.

SCENE X.
„E R ON A.

Enter Julia and: Lucetta.
Jul. Ow Lucetta; gentle girl, aſſiſt me,
And even in kind love I do conjure thee,
Who att the table wherein all my thoughts

Are viſibly character d and engrav'd,

To leſſon me, and tell me ſome good mean,
How with my honour I may undertake
A journey to my loving Protheus.
Luc. Alas, the way. is wearifome and long.
Jul. A true devoted pilgrim is not weary
To meaſure Kingdoms with his feeble ſteps;
Much leſs ſhall ſne, that hath love's wings to fly;
And when the flight is made to one ſo dear,

Of ach divine perfection as Sir Protheus.

Luc. Better forbear till Protheus make return,

4 Jul.

34 The Two Gentlemen of V erona.

Jul. Oh, know'lt thou not his looks ar my foul's
? £
Pity the dearth that I have 2 in,
By longing for that food ſo long a time.
Didſt thou but know the inly =; of love,
Thou would'ſt as ſoon go kindle fire with ſnow,
As ſeek to quench the fre of love with words.
Luc. I do not ſeek to quench your love's hot fire,
But qualifie the fire's extreameſt rage,
Leſt i it ſnould burn above the bounds of reſon.
Jul. — more thou damm'ſt it up, the more it
urns:
© The current that with genie murmur glides, -
Thou know'ſt, being ſtopp'd, . 554 doth rage;
* But when his faircomle i is not hindered,
He makes ſweet muſick with th' enameled ſtones,
* Giving a gentle kiſs to every ſedge
* He overtaketh in his pilgrimage:
* And ſo by many winding nooks he ſtrays,
With willing ſport, to the wild ocean.
Then let me go, and hinder not my courſe;
II be as patient as a gentle ſtream,
And make a paſtime of each weary ſtep,
Till the Eſt ſtep have brought me to my love;
And there Il] reſt, as, after much turmoil,
A bleſſed ſoul doth in Elix ium.
Luc. But in what habit will you go along?
Jul. Not like a woman; for 1 would prevent
The looſe encounters of kEivious men: |
Gentle Lucetta, fit me with ſuch weeds
As may beſcem ſome well reputed page.
Luc. Why then your ladyſnip muſt cut your hair.
Jul. No, girl; I'll knit it up in ſilken ſtrings,
With twenty odd - eonceited true- love knots:
To be fantaſticx may become a youth _
Of greater time than I ſhall ſhew- to be.
Luc. What faſhion,” Madam, ſhall 1 make your
breeches? |
Jul. That fits as well, as tell me, good my lord.

What compaſs will you wear your farthingale? 1
Way,

The Two Gentlemen of Verona. 35

Why, even what faſhion thou beſt like'ſt, Lucetta.
Luc. You muſt needs have them with a cod-piece»
Madam.
Jul. Out, out, Lucetta, that will be ill-fayour'd.
Luc. A round hoſe, Madam, now's not worth a pin,
Unleſs you have a cod-piece to ſtick pins on. |
ul. Lucetta, as thou lov'ſt me, let me have
What thou think'ſt meet, and is moſt mannerly:
But tell me, wench, how will the world repute me
For undertaking ſo unſtaid a journey?
I fear me it will make me ſcandaliz'd.
Luc. If you think ſo, then ſtay at home, and go not.
Jul. Nay, that I will not. |
Luc. Then never dream on infamy, but go.
If Protheus like your journey when you come,
No matter who's. diſpleas'd when you are gone:
I fear me he will ſcarce be pleas d with all.
Jul. That is the leaſt, Lucetta, of my fear:
A thouſand oaths, an ocean of his tears,
And inſtances as infinite of love,
Warrant me welcome to my Protheus.
Luc. All theſe are ſervants to deceitful men.
Jul. Baſe men that uſe them to ſo baſe effect:
But truer ſtars did govern Protheus birth;
His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles,
His love ſincere, his thoughts immaculate,
His tears pure meſſengers Fac from his heart,
His heart as far from fraud as Neav'n from earth.
Tuc. Pray heav'n he prove ſo when you come to him.
Jul. Now as thou lov'ſt me, do him not that wrong,
To bear a hard opinion of his truth ;
Only deſerve my love by loving him,
And preſently go with me to my chamber,
To take a note of what I ſtand in need of,
To furniſh me upon my longing journey:
All that is mine I leave at thy diſpoſe,
My goods, my lands, my reputation,
Only in lieu thereof diſpatch me hence,
Come, anſwer not; but to it preſently : |
Lam impatient of my tarriance. Exe.
| B 6. ACT

36 The Two Gentlemen of Verona,

7 CON Wy - (/ N A” CS
SIO 3 (dg J 8 1 t

ACT II. SCENE I.
SCENE changes to Milan.

Enter Duke, Thurio and Protheus.

Duo kk.

IR Thwrio, give us leave, I pray, a while;
We have ſome fecrets to confer about.
| [Exit Thurio.
Now tell me, Protheus, what's your will
with me?
| Pro. My gracious lord, that which J
would diſcover
The law of friendſhip bids mewto conceal;
But when call to mind your __ favours
Done to me, undeſerving as Lam,
My duty pricks me on to utter that,
Which elſe no worldly good ſhould draw from me.
Know, worthy Prince, Sir Valentine my friend |
This night intends to fteal away your daughter :
My felf am one made privy to the plot.
I know you have determin'd to beſtow her
On Thurio whom your gentle daughter hates:
And ſhould ſhe thus be ftolPn' away from you,
It would be much vexation to your age.
Thus, for my duty's fake, I rather choſe
To croſs my friend in his intended drift,
Than by concealing it heap on your head - |
A pack of ſorrows, which would preſs you down,
If unprevented, to your timeleſs grave.
Duke. Protheus, I thank thee for thine honeſt care j

Which to requite, command me while I live.

This love of theirs my ſelf have often ſeen,

Haply

1

The Two Gentlemen of Verona. 37

Haply when they have judg'd me faſt aſleep ;
And oftentimes have purpos'd to forbid
Sir Valentine her company, and my court :
But fearing leſt my jealous aim might err,
And fo unworthily diſgrace the man,
(A raſbneſs that I ever yet have ſhun'd;)
I gave him gentle looks, thereby to find
That which thy ſelf hath now diſclos d to me.
And that thou may'ſt perceive my fear of this,
Knowing that tender youth is ſoon ſuggeſted,
I nightly lodge her in an upper tower, |
The key whereof my ſelf hath ever kept;
And thence ſhe cannot be convey'd away.

Pro. Know, noble Lord, they have devis'd a mean
How he her chamber-window will aſcend,
And with a corded ladder fetch her down;
For which tht youthful lover now is gone,
And this way comes he with it preſently :
Where, if it pleaſe you, you may intercept him.
But, good my lord, do it fo cunningly,
That my diſcov'ry be not aimed at ;
For love of you, not hate unto my friend,
Hath made me publiſher of this pretence.

Duke. Upon mine honour, he ſhall never know
That TI had any light from the of this.

Pro. Adieu, my lord: Sir Valentine is coming.

| [ Ex. Pro.

SCENE IL
Enter Valentine.

Duke. Sir valentine, whither away ſo faſt ?
Val. Pleaſe it your Grace, there is a meſſenger
That ſtays to bear my letters to my friends,
And I am going todeliver them.
Duke. Be they of much import?
Fal. The tenor of them doth but ſignifie
My health, and happy being at your court.
Duke. Nay then no matter; ſtay with me a while; ;

38 The Two Gentlemen of Verona,
I am to break with thee of ſome affairs

That touch me near; wherein thou muſt be ſecret.
- *Tis not unknown to thee, that I have ſought
To match my friend, Sir Thurio, to my daughter.

Val. I know it well, my lord, and ſure the match
Were rich and honourable; beſides, the gentleman
Is full of virtue, bounty, worth and qualities,
Beſceming ſuch a wife as your fair daughter.

Cannot your Grace win her. to fancy him ?

Dake, No, truſt me, ſhe is peeviſh, ſullen, froward,
Proud, diſobedient, ſtubborn, lacking duty;
Neither regarding that ſhe is my child,

Nor fearing me as if I were her father:

And may I ſay to thee, this pride of hers,

Upon advice, hath drawn my love from her ;
And where I thought the remnant of mine age
Should have been cheriſh'd by her child-like duty;
I now am full refoly'd to take a wife,

And turn her out to who will take her in:

Then let her beauty be her wedding-dowre;

For me and my poſſeſſions ſhe eſteems not.

- Val. What would your Grace have me to do in this ?

Dake. There is a lady * Sir, i in Milan here,
Whom I affect; but ſhe is nice and coy,

And nought eſteems my aged cloquence :

Now therefore would ] have thee to my tutor;
(For long agone I have forgot to court;
Beſides, the faſhion of the time is chang'd,)
How and which way I may beſtow my ſelf,
To be regarded in her ſun- bright eye.

Val. Win her with gifts, if- ſhe reſpects not words;
Dumb jewels often in their ſilent kind,

More than quick words, do move a woman's mind.
Duke. But I ſcorn a preſent that I ſent her, 1

* Sir in Milan here. It ought to be thus, inſtead of —in Fre-
na here For the Scene a I is in Milan, as is clear from.
Several paſſages in the firſt Aft, and in the beginning of the firfl
Scene of the fourth Aft. A like miſtake has crept into the eighth
Scene of Act II. where Speed bids bis fellow-ſtrvant Lune, wel-

come to Padua,

The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 39

Val. we woman ſometimes ſcorns what beſt contents
5
Send her another; never give her o'er ;
For ſcorn at firſt makes after- love the more.
If ſhe do frown, tis not in hate of you,
But rather to beget more love in you:
If ſhe do chide, tis not to have you gone;
For why, the fools are mad if left alone.
Take no repulſe, whatever ſhe doth ſay;
For, get you gone, ſhe doth not mean away:
Flatter, and praiſe, commend, extol their graces;
Tho? ne'er ſo black, ſay they have angels faces.
That man that hath a tongue, I ſay, is no man,
If with his tongue he cannot win a woman.
Dake. But ſhe I mean, is promis'd by her friends
Unto a youthful gentleman of worth,
And kept ſeverely from reſort of men,
That no man hath acceſs by day to her.
Val. Why then I would reſort to her by night.
Duke. Ay, but the doors be lockt, and keys kept fafe,
That no man hath recourſe to her by night.
Val. What lets but one may enter at her window ?
Duke. Her chamber is aloft far from the ground,
And built ſo ſhelving, that one cannot climb it
Without apparent hazard of his life.
Val. Why then a ladder quaintly made of cords,
To caſt up, with a pair of anchoring hooks,
Would ſerve to ſcale another Hera tower,
So bold Leander would adventure it. |
Dake. Now as thou art a gentleman of blood,
Adviſe me where I may have ſuch a ladder.
Val. When would you uſe it? pray, Sir, tell me that,
Duke. This very night; for love is like a child,
That longs for ev'ry thing that he can come by.
Val. By ſeven a clock I'll get you ſuch a ladder.
Due. But hark thee: I will go to her alone;
How ſhall I belt convey the ladder thither ?
Val. It will be light, my lord, that you may bear it
Under a cloak that is of any length.
Duke. A cloak as long as thine will ſerve the * |
V

40 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Pal. Ay, my good lord.

Duke. Then let me ſee thy cloak;

Tl get me one of ſuch another . |
Val. Why any cloak will ſerve the turn, my lord.
Duke. How ſball I faſhion me to wear a cloak?

I pray thee let me feel thy cloak upon me.

What letter is this ſame? what's here? To Silvia?

And here an engine fit for my proceeding ?

II be ſo bold to break the ſeal for once. [Duke Reads.

My thoughts do harbour with my Silvia nightly,
And ſlaves they are to me that ſend them flying:
Oh, could their maſter come and go as lightly,
Himſelf would lodge where ſenſeleſs they are lying :
My herald thoughts in thy pure boſom reſt them,
While I, their King, that thither them importune,
Do curſe: the grace that with ſuch grace hath bleſt them,
Becauſe my ſelf do want my ſervants fortune :
J curſe my ſelf, for they are ſent by me,
That they ſhould harbour where their lord would bs.

What's here? Silvia, this night will I infranchiſe thee :

"Tis ſo; and here's the ladder for the purpoſe.

Why Phaiton, for thou art Merop's ſon,

Wilt thou aſpire to guide the heav'nly car,

And with thy daring folly burn the world ?

Wilt thou reach ſtars, becauſe they ſhine on thee 7 -

Go, baſe intruder! over-weening ſlave! |

Beſtow thy fawning ſmiles on equal mates.

And think my patience, more than thy deſert,

Is privilege for thy departure hence: —

Thank me for this, more than for all the favours

Which, all too much, I have beſtow'd on thee.

But if thou linger in my territories, |

Longer than ſwifteſt expedition

Will give thee time to leave our royal court,

By heay'n, my wrath ſhall far exceed the love

T ever bore my daughter or thy ſelf: .

Be gone, I will not hear thy vain excuſe, .

But as thou lov'ſt thy life, make ſpeed from hence: [Ex#
SCENE

1

|

The Two Gentlemen of Verona. 41

SCENE III.

Val. And why not death, rather than living torment?
* To die, is to be baniſh'd from my ſelf,
* And Silvia is my ſelf; baniſh'd from her
s ſelf from ſelf: a deadly baniſhment !
What light is light, if Silvia be not ſeen?
What joy is joy, if Silvia be not by?
* Unleſs it be to think that ſhe is by,
And feed upon the ſhadow of perfection.
* Except I be by Silvia in the night,
There is no muſick in the nightingale :
* Unleſs I look on Silvia in the day,
There is no day for me to look upon:
She is my eſſence, and I leave to be
If I be not by her fair influence
Foſter'd, illumin'd, cheriſh'd, kept alive.
I fly not death to fly his deadly doom:
Tarry I here, I but attend on death ;
But fly I hence, I fly away from lite.

Enter Protheus and Launce.
Pro. Run, boy, run, run, and ſcek him out.
Laun. So-ho-ſo, ho '
Pro. What ſeeſt thou?
Laun. Him we go to find:
There's not an hair on's head but *tis a Valentine,
Pro. Valentine.
Val. No.
Pro. Who then; his ſpirit ?
Pal. Neither. 5
Pra. What then?
Val. Nothing.
Laun. Can nothing ſpeak? Maſter, ſhall I ftrike ?
Pro. Whom wouldſt thou ftrike ?
Laun. Nothing.
Pro. Villain, Wh
Laun. Why: Sir, I'll ſtrike nothing; I pray you

*

42 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Pro. I ſay forbear: friend Valentine, a word.
Val. My ears are ſtopt, and cannot hear good news,
So much of bad already hath poſſeſt them.
Pro. Then in dumb ſilence will I bury mine;
For they are harſh, untuneable, and bad.
Val. Is Silvia dead?
Pro. No, Valentine.
Val. No Valentine, indeed, for ſacred Silvia:
Hath ſhe forſworn me?
Pro. No, Valentine. .
Val. No Valentine, if Silvia have forſworn me:
What is your news? |
Laun. Sir, there's a proclamation you are vaniſh'd,
Pro. That thou art baniſh'd; oh, that is the news,
From hence, from Silvia, and from nie thy friend.
Val. Oh, I have fed upon this woe already;
And now excels of it will make me ſurfeit.
Doth Silvia know that I am baniſhed?
Pro. Ay, ay; and ſhe hath offered to the doom
Which unrevers d ſtands in effectual force, |
A ſea of melting pearl, which ſome call tears :
Thoſe at her father's churliſh feet ſhe tender'd,
With them, upon her knees, her humble ſelf ;
Wringing her hands, whoſe whiteneſs ſo became them,
As if but now they waxed pale for woe.
But neither bended knees, pure hands held up,
Sad ſighs, deep groans, nor filver-ſhedding tears,
Could penetrate her uncompaſſionate fire;
But Valentine, if he be ta'en muſt die;
Beſides, her interceſſion chaf'd him fo,
When ſhe for thy repeal was ſuppliant,
That to cloſe priſon he commanded her,
With many bitter threats of biding there. *
Val. No more, unleſs the next word that thou ſpeak'ſt
Have ſome m̃alignant power upon my life: |
If fo, I pray thee, breathe it in mine ear,
As ending anthem of my endleſs dolour.
Pro. Ceaſe to lament for that thou canſt not help,
And ſtudy help for that which thou lament'ſt.
Time is the nurſe and breeder of all good: 1
ere

The Two Gentlemen of Verona. 43

Here if thou ſtay, thou canſt not ſee thy love;
| Beſides, thy ſtaying will abridge thy life.
Hope is a lover's ſtaff, walk hence with that,
And manage it againft deſpairing thoughts.
Thy letters may be here, 3 thou art hence,
Which, being writ to me, ſhall be deliver'd
Ev'n in the milk- white boſom of thy love.
The time now ſerves not to expoſtulate;
Come, I'll convey thee through the city-gate
And, ere I part with thee, confer at large
Of all that may concern thy love-affairs :
As thou lov'ſt Silvia, tho' not for thy ſelf,
Regard thy danger, and along with me.
Val. I pray thee, Launce, and if thou ſeeſt my boy,
Bid him make haſte, and meet me at the north- gate.
Pro. Go Sirrah, find him out: come Valentine.
val. O my dear Silvia! hapleſs Valentine! Exeunt.

SCENE Iv.
Law, T am but a fool, look you, and yet I have

the wit to think my maſter is a kind of a knave: but
that's all one, if he be but one knave. He lives not

now that knows me to be in love, yet I am in love;

but a team of horſe ſhall not pluck that from me,
nor who tis I love, and yet tis a woman; but what
woman I will not tell my ſelf; and yet 'tis a milk-
maid; yet tis not a maid, for ſhe hath had goſſips;
yet 'tis a maid, for ſhe is her maſter's maid and
ſerves for wages: ſhe hath more qualities than a wa-
ter-ſpaniel, which is much in a bare chriſtian. Here
is the cat-log ¶ Pulling out a Paper] of her conditions;
Imprimis, ſhe can fetch and carry; why a horſe can
do no more, nay a horſe cannot fetch, but only car-
ry; therefore is ſhe better than a jade. Item, ſhe
can milk; look you, a ſweet virtue in a maid with
clean hands. |

ana} ® eo”

= OT Le —— . — TS

- — ym — — n — F ¹m;ꝛ ͤ“... o—_—_—_—e_—_— — — _s

44 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Enter Speed.

Speed. How now ſignior Launce? what news with
your maſterſhip ? .

Laun. With my maſterſhip ? why, it is at ſea.

Speed. Well, your old vice ſtill; miſtake. the word:
what news then in your paper?

Laun. The blackeſt news that ever thou heard'ſt."

Speed. Why man, how black?

Laun. Why as black as ink.
Speed. Let me read them.

Laun. Fie on thee, jolthead, thou canſt not read.

Speed. Thou lieſt, I can

Laun. I will try thee; tell me this, who begot thee?

Speed. Marry the ſon of my grand-father.

Laun. O illiterate. loiterer, tt was the ſon of thy
grand- mother; this proves that thou canſt not read.

Speed. Come fool, come, try me in thy paper.

Laun. There, and S. Nicholas be thy ſpeed.

Speed. Imprimis, ſhe can milk.

Laun. Ay that ſhe can.

Speed. Item, ſhe brews good ale.

Laun. And thereof comes the proverb, Bleſſing of your
heart, you brew good ale.

Speed. Item, ſhe can ſewe.

Lawn. That's as much as to Hay, can * fot

Speed. Item, ſhe can knit.
Taun. What need a man care for a ſtock with a
wench, when ſhe can knit him a ſtock !

Speed. Item, ſhe can waſh and fcour.
| Lawn. A ſpecial virtue, for then ſhe need not to be
waſh'd and Eour'd.

Speed. Item, ſhe can ſpin.

Laun. Then may I ſet the world on wheels, when
ſhe can ſpin for her living.

Speed. Item, ſhe hath many namelef virtues.

Laun. That's as much as to ſay Baſtard Virtues, that
indeed know not their fathers, a5 thetefore have no

names. |
a Speed,

The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 45

Speed. Here follow her vices.

Laun. Cloſe at the heels of her virtues. -

Speed . Item, ſhe is not to be kiſt faſting, in reſpe&
of her breath.

Laun. Well, that fault may be mended with a break-
faſt ; read on.

Speed. Item, ſhe hath a ſweet mouth.
Laun That makes amends for her ſour breath.

Speed. Item, ihe doth talk in her {lcep.

Laun. It's no matter for that, ſo ſhe ſleep not in
herjtalk.

Speed. Item, ſhe is flow in words.

Laun. Oh villain ! that ſet down among her vices !
to be flow in words is a woman's only virtue: I pray
thee out with't, and place it for her chief virtue.

Speed. Item, ſhe is proud.

Laun. Out with that too: it was Eve's legacy, and
cannot be ta'en from her.

Speed. Item, ſhe hath no teeth.

Laun. 1 care not for that neither, becauſe I love
cruſts. A WY

Speed. Item, ſhe is curſt.

Laun. Well, the beſt is, ſhe hath no teeth to bite.

Speed. Item, ſhe will often praiſe her liquor.

Laun. If her liquor be good, ſhe ſhall; if ſhe will
not, I will, for good things ſhould be praiſed.

Speed. Item, ſhe is too liberal.

Laun. Of her tongue ſhe cannot, for that's writ down
ſhe is flow of; of her purſe ſhe ſhall not, for that I'll
keep ſhut; now of another thing ſhe may, and that
cannot I help. Well, proceed,

Speed. Item, ſhe hath more hairs than wit, and more
faults than hairs, and more wealth than faults.

Laun, Stop here; I'll have her; ſhe was mine, and

not mine, twice or thrice in that article. Rehearſe
that once more.

Speed. Item, ſhe hath more. hair than wit.

Laun. More hair than wit; it may be, I'll prove it:
the cover of the ſalt hides the falt, and therefore it
is mere than the ſalt; the hair that covers the wit is

more

8

46 The Two Gentlemen of Verona,

more than the wit; for the greater hides the leſs,
What's next?

Speed. And more faults than hair s.

Laun. That's monſtrous: oh that that were out.

Speed. And more wealth than faults. -
Taunc. Why, that word makes the faults gracious :
well, I'll have her; and if it be a match, * is
impoſſible |

Speed. What then?

Lawn. Why then will I tell "Rs that thy maſter *
for thee at the north- gate.

_ Speed, For me?

Lawn. For thee? ay, who art thou? he hath ſtaid
for a better man than thee.

Speed. And muſt I go to him?

Laun. Thou muſt run to him; for thou haſt ſtaid
ſo long, that going will ſcarce ſerve the turn.

os Why dat not tell me ſooner ? pox on your
love- letters.

TN Now will he be ſwing'd for reading my let-

an unmannerly ſlave, tat will thruſt himſelf into

; ſecrets, ITI after, to rejoice in the boy's correction.
Exeums.

SCENE v.
Enter Duke and Thurio.

Duke. Sir Thuvio, fear not, but that ſhe will love you,
Now Valentine is baniſt'd from her fight.

Wu. Since his exile ſhe. hath deſpis d me moſt,
Forſworn my company, and rail'd at me,
That I am deſperate of obtaining her.

Dake. This weak impreſs of love, is as a figure
Trenched in ice, which within an hour's heat
Diſſolves to water, and doth loſe his form.

A little time will melt her frozen thoughts,
And worthleſs Valentine ſhall be eget

The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 47

Enter Protheus.

How now, Sir Protheus; is your countreyman,
According to our proclamation, gone?
Pro. Gone, my good lord.
Duke. My daughter takes his going heavily.
Pro. A little time, my lord, will kill that grief.
Dake. So I believe; but Thurio thinks not ſo.
F Protheus, the good conceit I hold of thee,
(For thou haſt ſhown ſome ſign of good deſert)
Makes me the better to confer with thee. |
| Pro. Longer than I prove loyal to your Grace,
Let me not live to look upon your Grace.
Duke. Thou know'ſt how willingly I would effe&t
| The match between Sir Thurio and my daughter.
Pro. I do, my lord. |
Duke. And alſo I do think thou art not ignorant 3
How ſhe oppoſes her againſt my will.
Pro. She did my lord, when Valentine was here, |
Duke. Ay, and perverſely ſhe perſeveres ſo.
What might we do to make the girl forget
The love of Valentine, and love Sir Thuris?
Pro. The beſt way is to ſlander Valentine
With falſnood, cowardice, and poor deſcent:
Three things that women highly hold in hate.
Duke. Ay, but ſhe'll think that it is ſpoke in hate.
Pro, Ay, if his enemy deliver it : |
Therefore it muſt with circumſtance be ſpoken
By one whom ſhe eſteemeth as his friend.
Duke. Then you, muſt undertake to ſlander him.
Pro. And that, my lord, I ſhall be loth to do;
"Tis an ill office for a gentleman,
Eſpecially no his very friend.
Duke. Where your good word cannot advantage him.
Your ſlander never can endamage him;
Therefore the office is indifferent,
Being intreated to it by your friend. |
Pro. You have prevail'd, my lord: if I can do it,
By, ought that I can ſpeak in his diſpraiſe, AY

—

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= _ —

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*

43 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

She ſhall not- long continue leve to him.
- But fay this wean her love from Valentine,
It follows not that ſhe will love Sir Thurio.

Thu. Therefore as you unwind: her love from him

Leſt it ſhould ravel and be good to none,

* You muſt provide to bottom it on me:
Which muſt be done by praiſing me as much
As you in worth diſpraiſe Sir Valentine.

Duke. And, Protheus, we dare truſt you in this kind,

Becauſe we know, on Valentine's report,

You are already love's firm votary,

And cannot ſoon revolt and change your mind.

Upon this warrant ſball you have acceſs,

Where you with Silvia may confer at large:

For ſhe is lumpiſh, heavy, melancholy,

And for your friend's ſake, will be glad of you;

Where you may temper her, by your perſuaſion,

To hate young Valentine, and love my friend.

Pro. As much as I can do, I will effect.

But you Sir Thurio are not ſharp enough;

You muſt lay lime, to tangle her Jefires

By wailful ſonnets, whoſe compoſed rhimes

Should be full fraught with ſerviceable vows.
Duke. Much is the force of heav'n-bred poeſie.
Pro. Say that upon the altar of her beauty

You facrifice your tears, your ſighs, your heart:

Write *till your ink be dry, and with your tears

Moiſt it again, and frame ſome feeling line -

That may diſcover ſuch integrity :

For Orpheus lute was ſtrung with poets ſinews, -

Whoſe golden touch could ſoften ſteel and ſtones,

Make tygers tame, and huge Leviathans

Forſake unſounded deeps, and dance on ſands.

After your dire-lamenting elegies

Viſit by night your lady's chamber- window

With ſome ſweet conſort: to their inſtruments

Tune a deploring dump; the night's dead filence

Will well become ſuch ſweet complaining grievance:

This, or elſe nothing, will inherit her. |

Dake, This diſcipline ſhews thou haſt been in .
| H.

The Tuo Gentlemen of Verona. 49

Thu. And thy adviee this night I'll put in practice:
Therefore, ſweet Prot heus, my direction-giver,
Let us into the city preſently
To ſort ſome e well skill'd in Muſick 3
I have a ſonnet that will ſerye the turn
To give the onſet to thy good advice.
Duke. About i it, Gentlemen. |
Pro. We'll wait upon your Grace till after crpen.
And afterwards determine our proceedin gs. |
Duke. Ev'a now about it. f will _ you.
LExeunt.

ACT W. CEN L
SCENE A Regt.
Enter ferbais on Ws,

'1 Our-Law;

2 Ont. Ifhere be ten, ſnrin —_
down with m.

Enter valentine and Speed.

3 Out. Stand, Sir, and throw us w
you have about, "_ z if not, we'll make you, Sir, an
rifle you,

Speed. Sir, we are undone; theſe are the Villain
that all the travellers fear ſo much.

Val. My friends.

1 Out. That's not fo, Sir; we are your Enemies.

2 Out. Peace; we'll hear him.

3 Out. Ay, by ** bear will Wes for he-is a prop

man.
co” ; 8 1

50 The Two Cent lemen Ta Verona.

Val. Then know that I have little to loſe:
A man Iam, croſs d with adverſity ;
My riches are theſe, poor habiliments,
Ot which if you ſhould here disfurniſh me,
You take the fam and ſubſtance that I have.
2 Out. Whither travel you?
Val. To Verona.
x Out. Whence came you?
Val. From Milan.
3 Out. Have you long ſojourn'd there?
| —_ _ xteen months, and longer might have
ai
If crooked fortune had not thwarted me.
. 4 Out. What were you banifh'd thence?
Val. 1 was.
2 Out. For what offence?
Val. For that which nov torwents me to reheatfe :
1 kill'd a man, whoſe death I much repent;
But yet I lew him wanfully in fight, p
Withour falſe vantage or baſe treachery.
1 Out. Why neler repent it, if it were done ſo,
But were you baniſh'd for ſo ſm4ll a fault? |
Val. I was, and held ine glad of ſuch a doom.
1 Out. Have you the tongues? 1
Val. My /outhful travel therein made. me _ WM
Or elſe I 6ften bad been miſerable. +
3 Out. By the bare ſcalp of Robin Hood's far TY |
This fellow were a King for our wild faction.
1 Out. Well have him. Sirs;a word. Z
Speed. Maſter, be one of them: it's an hogourabl
kind of thievery.
Val. Peace, Villain,” 1
2 Out. Tell us this; have you any thing to take 7
© Pal. Nothing but my fortune.
Out. Know then, that ſome of us are gentlemen,
Such as the fury of ungovern'd youth
Thruſt from the company of awful men:
Y felf was from Verona baniſhed, 85
or ptactiſing to ſteal away a lady, 4
An heir and neice ally'd unto the Duke. 4 |
| 2 Ont,

*

.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 51

2 Out. And I from Mantua, for a gentleman
Whom in my mood I ſtabb'd unto the heart.
1 Out. And I for ſuch like petty crimes as theſe,
But to the purpoſe ; for we cite our faults,
That they may hold excus d our lawleſs lives;
And partly ſeeing you are beautify'd
With goodly ſhape, and by your own report
A linguiſt, and a man of ſuch perfection
As we do in our quality much want.
2 Out. Indeed becauſe you are a baniſh'd man,
Therefore above the reſt we parley to you;
Are you content to beour general?
To make a virtue of neceflity,
And live as we do in the wilderneſs? |
3 _ What fay'ſt thou? wilt thou be of our con-
ort? |

. Say ay, and be the Captain of us all:

We'll do thee homage and be rul'd by thee,
Love thee as our commander and our King,
1 out. But if thou ſcorn our courtelie, thou dy'ſt.
2 Out. Thou ſhalt not live to brag what we have
offer'd. |
Val. I take your offer, and will live with you,
Provided that you do no outrages
On filly women or poor paſſengers.
3 Out. No, we deteſt ſuch vile practices.
Come, go with us, we'll bring thee to our crews,
And ſhew thee all the treaſure we have got;
Which with our ſelves ſhall reſt at thy diſpoſe.

C 2 SCENE

32 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

*

SCENSD .
Changes 10 Milan.

Enter Protheus.

Pro. Lready I've been falſe to Valentine,

And now I muſt be as unjuſt to Thurio.
VUnder the colour of commending him,
I have acceſs my own love to prefer :
But Silvia is too fair, too true, too holy,
To be corrupted with my worthleſs gifts.
When I proteſt true loyalty to her,
She twits me with my falichood to my friend;
When to her beauty I commend my vows,
She bids me think how I have been forſworn
In breaking faith with Julia whom 1 lov'd.
And notwithſtanding all her ſudden quips,
The leaſt whereof would quell a lover's 7 —
Yet, ſpaniel-like, the more ſhe fpurns my love,
The more it grows and fawneth on her ſtill. _
But here comes Thurio: now muſt we to her window,
And give ſome evening muſiek to her ear.

Enter Thurio and Muſicians.

Thu. How now, Sir Protheus, are you crept before us?
Pro. Ay, gentle Thurio; for you know that love
Will creep in ſervice where it cannot go.

Thu. Ay but L. hope, Sir, 52 you love not here.

Pro. Sir, but Edo; or elſe J would be hence.

Thu. Whom, Silvia

Pro. Ay, Silvia,” for your ke,

Thr. I thank you for your own : now gentlemen
Let's turn, and to it luſtily a while, |

SCENE

The Two Gentlemen of Verona. 33

SCENE III.

Enter Hojt, and Julia in boy's cloaths.

Hof. Now my young gueſt, methiaks you're mes
zancholy: I pray what is it?

Jul. Marry, mine Hoſt, becauſe I cannot be merry.

Hoſt. Come, we'll have you merry: I'll bring you
Where you ſhall hear muſick, and fee the gentleman
that you ask'd for. |

Jul. But ſhall T hear him ſpeak?

Hoſt, Ay, that you ſhall.

Jul. That will be muſick.

Hoſt. Hark, hark.

Fal. Is he among the ſe?

Hoſt. Ay; but peace, let's hear em.

SONG.

Who is Silvia? what is ſhe?
That all our ſwains commend her?
Holy, fair and wiſe is ſhe,
The heav'n ſuch grace did lend her,
That ſhe might admired be.

I. ſhe kind as ſhe is ſair ?
— beauty 5 — kindneſs.
Love doth to her eyes repair,
To help him of hi; blindneſs :
And being help'd inhabits there.

=

Then to Silvia let us ſing,
That Silvia is excelling ;
She excels each mortal thing
Upon the dull earth dwelling :
To her let us garland; bring.

Heft. How now? are you fadder than you were be-
fore? how do you, _ the muſick likes you not.
3 il

4 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Ful. Yau miſtake; the muſician likes me not.

Hoſt, Why, my pretty youth?

Ful. He plays falſe, 4 er. |

Hoſt. How, out of tune on the ſtrings ?

Ful. Not ſo; but yet ſo falſe, that he grie ves my
very heart · ſtrings.

Hoſt. You have a quic k ear. |

Ful. Ay, I would I were deaf; it makes me have
a {low heart. : |
Hef. Iperceive you delight not in muſick.

Ful. Not a whit when it jars ſo.

Hoff. Hark what fine change is in the muſick.

Ful. Ay; that change is the ſpight. |

Hoſt. You would have them always play but one
thing ? | | |
Fal. 1 would always have one play but one thing.
Bur, hoſt, doth this Sir Protheus that we talk on,
Often reſort unto this gentle woman

Hoſt. I tell you what Launce his man told me, he
lov'd her out of all nick.

Jul. Where is Launce?P -

Hoſt. Gone to ſeek. his dog, which to-morrow, by
e- _ command, he muſt carry for a preſent to.

is lady. |

ul! Peace, ſtand aſide, the company parts.

Pro. Sir Thurio, fear not; I will fo plead,
That you ſhall ay my cunning drift excels. ,
Thu. Where meet we?

Pro. At Saint Gregory's well.
Fr. Fate wel. [Ex. Thu. and Much.

SCENE 1V.
Enter Silvia above.

Pro. Madam, good even to your ladyſhip.

Sil. I thank you for your muſick, gentlemen:
Who is that that ſpake? |

Pro. One, lady, if you knew his pure heart'struth,
You'd quickly leara to know him by his voice.

Sl.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 55

Sil. Sir Prothens, as 1 rake it.

Pro. Sir Prothens; gentle lady, and your- ſervant. 5

Sil. What is your will?

Pro. That I may co — . —

Sil. You have your wiſn; my will is ever this
That preſently you hie you home to bed.

Thou ſubtle, perjur'd, falſe, diſloyal man!
Think'ſt thou I am fo ſhallow, ſo conceitleſs,
To be ſeduced by thy flattery,

Fbat haſt deceiv d 5 many with thy yows ?
Return, return, and make thy love amends.

For me, 2 this pale Queen of night I fwear,
I. am fo far from granting thy requeſt, |
That I defpiſe thee for thy wrong & ſuit;

And by and by intend to chide my ſelf,

Ev'n for this time I ſpend in talking to thee:

Pro. I grant, ſweet love, that I did love a lady,
Bur ſhe is dead.

Jul. [ Aſide.] 'Twere falſe if I ſhould ſpeak its
For tam fure the is not buried.

Sil. Say that be; yet Valentine thy friend
Survives, to whom thy ſelf art witneſs,
am betroth d: and art thou not aſham'd
To wrong him with thy importunacy?

Pro. I likewiſe hear that Valentine is dead.

Sil. And fo ſuppoſe am I; for in his grave,
Aſſure thy ſelf, my love is buried.

Pro. Sweet lady, let me rake it from the earths

Sil. Go to thy lady's grave and call her thence,
Or, ar the leaſt, in wo ae thine.

Jul. [ Aſide.) He heard not that.

Pro. Madam if your heart be fo obdurate,
Vouchſafe me yer your picture for my love,
The picture that is hanging in your chamber:

To that I'll ſpeak, to chr figh and weep:

For ſinte the ſubſtance of your perfect ſelt

Is elſe devoted, I am but a ſhadow;

And to your ſhadow will I make true loye.

Ful. [ Aſide.) If twere a ſubſtance you would fure
deccive. i Its. |

ö

il

|

|

.
|
1

1

— — — —

og

— — — 4
-- 222

36 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

And make it but a ſhadow as I am.

Silv. T'm very loth to be your idol, Sir ;
But fince your falſhood ſhalt become you well,
To worſhip ſhadows and adore falſe ſhapes,
Send ro me in the Manage and I'Il ns it:
And ſo good reſt. |

Pro. Ay wretches bave o'er night,

That wait for execution in the! -morn.

| [ExeuntJro. 4
Jul. Hoſt, will you go? | Na

I Hy ay om I was faſt aſleep Es wat
you where lies Sir Procheus 1
To — at my houſe: truſt me I think Nis als
moſt day.
Jul. Not ſo; but ĩt kath been the longeſt night.
That cer 1 watch'd, and the moſt heavy one.

ee
8 c E N E V. 5 yu?

; Enter Eglamour.

Egl. This is the hour that madam Silvia
Entreated me to call and, know. her mind:
There's ſome: great matter ſhe'd N oy me in.
Madam, madam: ;

| Enter Silvia above.

Sil. Who calls?
Egl. Your ſervant and your friend ;

One that attends your Ladyſhip's command.
Sil. Sir Eglamour, a thouſand times good-morro .
Egl. As many, worthy lady, to your ſelf: *

According to your N s impoſe,

I am thus early come, to know what ſervice

It is your pleaſure to command me in
' Sil. Oh Eglamour, thou art a gentleman,

(Think

The Tuo Gentlemen of Verona. 57

(Think not I flatter, for I ſwear I do not,)
Valiant and wiſe, remorſeful, well accompliſh'd ;
Thou art not ignorant what dear good-will

I bear unto the baniſh'd Valentine ;

Nor how my father would enforce me marry
Vain Thurio, whom my very ſoul abhorr'd.
Thy ſelf haſt lov'd, and I have heard thee ſay
No grief did come ſo near unto thy heart,

As when thy lady and thy true love dy'd;
Upon whoſe grave thou vow'dit pure chaſtity.
Sir Eglamour, I would to Valentine

To Mantua, where I hear he makes abode:
And for the ways are dangerous to paſs,

I do defire thy worthy company;

on whoſe faith and honour 1 repoſe.

rge not my father's * Eglamonr z

But think upon my grief, a lady'sgrief,

And on the juſtice of my flying bence,

To keep me from a moſt*unholy match,

Which heav'n and fortune ſtill reward with plagnen
I do deſire thee, even from a heart

As full of Sorrows as the ſea of ſands,

To bear me company and go with me:

If not, to hide what I have ſaid to thee,

That I may venture to depart alone.

Egl. Madam, I pity much your grievances z
Which, fince I know they virtuouſly are plac'd,
I-give conſent to go along with you,

Recking as little what be. ideth me,
As much I wiſh all good befortune you.
When will you go? |

Sil. This Evening coming.

Egl. Where ſhall I meet you ?

Sil. At friar Patrick's cell;

Where 1 intend holy confeſſion. ja

Egl. I will not fail your ladyfh'p:
Good-morrow, gentle lady. |

Sil, Good- motrow, kind Sir Eglamonr. Excunt.

Cs SCENE

58 The Two Gentlemen bf Verona.

— _— — —
th. 6 +;

.

— 4 —

SCENE vl.
Enter Launce, with his deg.

HEN a man's ſervant ſhall play the cur with
him, look you, it goes hard: one that I
brought up of à puppy, one that I ſav'd from
* drewning, when three or four of his blind bro-
* thers and ſiſters went to it! T have taught him,
* even as one would fay- preciſely, thos I would
teach a dog. I was ſent to deliver bim as a pre-
* ſent to miltreſs Silvia, from my maſter ; and I
© came no ſooner. iato the dining- chamber, but he
© ſteps me to her trencher, and ficals her capon's leg.
O, tis a foul thing, when a cur; cannot keep him-
* ſelf in all companies! I would bave, as one ſhould:
* lay, one that takes upon him to be a dog indeed, to
be, as it were, a dog at all things, If I had not had
* more wit than he, to take a fault upon me that he
* did, I think verily he had been hang'd for't; ſure
* as I lire he had ſuffcr'd for't; you ſhall judge. He
* thruſts me himſelf into the company of three or
four gentleman-like dogs, under the Duke's table;
© he ha not been there (bleſs the mark) a piſſing- while,
* bur all the chamber ſmelt him. Out with the dog,
* ſays one; what cur is that? ſays another; whip him
* out, ſays the third; hang him up, fays the Duke. 1
© having been acquaint:d with the ſmell before, knew
it was Crab, and gocs me to the fellow that whips
* the dogs 5 Friend, quoth L. you mean to whip the
dog? Ay marry do I, quoth he. You do him the
more wrong, guoth I; *twas I did the thing you
*wor of. He makes no more | ado, but whips me.
out of the chamber. How many maſters would do
this for the ir ſervant ? nay, I'll be ſworn I haye4at
in the ſtocks for puddings he hath ſtoll'n, otherwiſe
+ he had been executed 31 have ſtood on a 4 {4
for

i

The Two Gentlemen of Verona. 59

© far geeſe. he | bath' kil'd, otherwiſe he had ſuffer'd
* for't. Thou thiok'ſt not of this now. Nay, | re -
member the trick you ſerv'd me when I took my
© leave of Madam Silvie; did not I bid thee ſtill mark
me, and do as 1 do? when didſt thou ſee me heave
up my leg, and make water againſt a gentlewaman's
+ farthingale? didſt thou ever ſee me do ſuch a trick?

SCEN E v8.
Enter Protheus and Julia,

Pro. Sebaſtian is thy name? I like thee well,
And will employ thee in ſome ſervice preſently.

Jul. In what you pleaſe: FI! do, Sir, what I cam;

Pro. I hope thou wilt, — now, you whore-

| ſon pe aſant,

Where have you been theſe two days loitering ?

_ Marry, Sir, I Hrried miſtreſs Silvia the dog
r

Pro. Abd what ſays ſhe to my lirtle jewel?

Laws: Marry, "ſhe fays, your dog was a cur, and
tells = curriſh thanks are good TY for ſuch a

r

Pro. But fhe receiv'd my dog? =

Laun. No indeed ſhe did not; here bave I ale
him back again. F
Pro. What, did'ſt thee offer her this from me?
Tann. Ay Sir; the other ſquirrel was ſtolln from me
by the Hangmag's boy in the market- place; and then
I off-r'd her mine own, who is a dog as big äs ten of
yours, and therefore the gifr the grearer. |

Pro. Go get thee hence, and find my dog again,
Or ne'er return again into my fight:
Away, I Gy; ſtay'ſt thou to vex me here?
A ſlave; thar'ev'ry day turns me to ſhame, [ Ex. Laun.
Sebaſtian, I have entertained ther, *
Paely that I haye need of ſuch a youth.
That can with ſome diſcretion do a buſineſs;
. (For dis no truſting to yon fooiſh lowt:)

60 The Tuo Gentlemen of Verona.

But chiefly for thy face and thy behaviour,
Which if my augury deceive me not,
Witneſs good bringing up. fortune and truth:
Therefore know thou, far this I entertain thee.
Go preſemly, and take this riog _ bes
Deliver it to Madam Silvia.
She lov'd me well, deliver'd it to me.
al. It ſeems you lov'd not her, to leave her token:
She's dead belike.
Pro. Not ſo: [think ſhe lives
Jul. Alas! urn
Pro. Why doſt thou cry alas?
Ful. 1 eannot chuſe but pity herr.
Fro. Wherefore ſhouldſt thou pity ber? 1
Jul. Becauſe methinks that ſhe lov'd you as well
As you do love your lady Silvia:
She dreams on him that bas forgot her love;
You doat on her that cares not for your bers *
Tis pit y. love ſhould be fo contrary;
And thinking on it makes m cry gast en
Pro. Well, give her that ring, and give 8
This Letter; that's her chamber: tell my lady,
I claim the promiſe for her heavenly. picture.
Voor meſſage done, hye home unto my chamber,
Where thou alt find me fad and aer (Exit Pra.

SCENE VII.

1. How many Women would de ſuch, 2 « riſſigs
Fer. Prot beus, thou batt en e
A fox to be the Shepherd of thy lambs:
Alas, poor fool, why do I pity him
That with Ris very heatt deſpiſeth me?
Becauſe he loves her, he deſpiſeth me;
Becauſe I love him, I muſt picy bim.
This ring I gave him when be parted from: me, q
To bind him to remember my good. Will.
And now I am, unhappy meſſenger, r,, *
To plead for that which I would not obtain:

To carry that which J would. 125 rekus'd;,.. . Keen 40
A

The Two Gentlemen of Verona. 61

To praiſe his faith, which I wou'd have *
1 am my maſter's true confirmed love,
But cannot be true ſervant to my maſter,
Valeſs I prove falſe traitor: to my ſelf.

Yet will if woo for him, but yet fo coldly,
As, heav'n it knows, 1 would not have him ſpeed...

Enter Silvia.

Lady, good dy: 1 pray you! be my mean 7

To bring me where to ſpeak with Madam Silz7a.
Sil. What would you with her, if that I be ſhe?
Jul. If you be ſhe, I do intreat your patience

To hear me ſpeak the meſſage I am ſent on.

Sil. From whom?

Jul. From my maſter Sir Protheus, Madam.
Sil, Oh! be ſends you for a piQure? |
Jul. Ay. Madam. 4s

Sil. Urſula, bring my picture then.

Go, give your maſter this: tell him from me,

One Julia, that his changing thoughts forget.

Would better fit his Chamber than this ſhadow. _ ..
Jul. Madam, may 't pleaſe you to peruſe this letier;

Pardon me, Madam, I have unadvis'd

Deliver'd you a paper that I ſhould not;

This is the letter to your ladyſhip., will Fe
Sil. I pray thee let me look on chat again. bat
Ful. It may not bes good qr — PER wh |
Sil. There, hold: - ; |

I will not look upon your maſter 7 — **

I know they're ſtuff d with proteſta tions
And full of ne- found oaths, which he will break

As eaſily as Ido tear his paper.
Ful, Madam, he ſends your ladyſhip. this ring.

Sil. The more ſhame for bim, that he ſends it mez

For I have heard him fay a thouſand ibn.

His Julia gave it him at his departure:

\

Tho his falſe Gnger have prophan'd the ring,
751 She not do bi Jule ſo much wrong

thanks you.

62 The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Sil. What ſay'ſt thou?
Jul. 1 thank you, Madam, that you tender her;
Poor gentle woman, my maſter I ber much.
Sil. Doſt thou know her?
Fal. Almoſt as well as I do know my a
To. think upon her woes, I do proteſt.
That I have wept an hundred ſeveral times.
Sil. Belike ſhe thinks that Prot heus hath forſook her.
I think fhe dot h; and thats 5 her cauſe of ſorrow.
Sil. Is ſhe not paſſing fair? Bos
I. She hath been fairer, —l hes ſhe i:
When ſhe did think my maſter lov'd her well,
She, in judgment, Was as fair as you.
But ſince - the did nogle ct. her looking-glaſs,
And threw her 2 5 mask away,
The air hath ſtarv'd the roſes in her 2
And pinch'd the. lilly-tincture of her _
Thar now ſhe is become as black as 1.
Sil. How tall was ſn en: ñ
act About my ſtature: fer at Pemtesst.
When all our dagen ok deliphtwere plaid,
Our yoothiget me to play the woman's pate,
And 1 ws trim'd in Madam Julias gown, |
Which ſerved me as fit, by all mens —
As if the garment bad been made for we
Therefore I know ſhe is about my heigbt,
And at that Hime I made her weep * 1 *
For Lidia playn lameutable Dee 707 Nin N
Madam, twas Ariadne paſſio ning
For Theſeus“ perjury and un juſt Highr ; in ö
Which 1 fo lively-a&ed with\my tears, dy won |
That my poor miſtreſs, moved therewitha?,
Wepr bitterly ; and would I might-me dead,
If 1 in thought felt not her vey forrow:;
Sil, She is beholden to thee; gentle yourks ©
Alas, poor lady! Geſclate and left:: pe
I weep my ſelf do think upon th. words. * 18 083
Here fs! th there is i purſe j T gie thee this
For thy ſweet mieſb dake, 'deean ſexhou low her!
$ 2 * Arad [Exe Sllvis.
* Jul.

2 2

The Tuo Gentlemen of Verona. 63
Jul. — ſhe ſhall thank you for't, if &er you know
er. i | |
A virtuous gentlewoman, mild and beautiful.
F hope my maſter's ſuit will be but cold,
Since ſhe reſpects my miſtreſs! love ſo much;
Alas! how love can trifle with it ſelf!
Here is her picture; let me ſee; I think,
If I had ſuch a tire, this face of mine
Were full as lovely as is this of hers.
And yet the painter flatter'd her a little, 4
Unlels I flatter with my ſelf too much;
Her hair is auburn, mine is perfect yellow.
If that be all the diff rence in his love,
Tll ger me ſuch a colour'd perriwig.
Her eyes are grey as graſs, and ſo are mine;
Ay, but her forehead's low, and mine is high.
What ſhould it be that ſhe reſpects in her,
But I can make reſpeRive in my ſelf, *;
If this fond love were not a blinded god?
Come, fhadow, come, and take this ſhadow up;
For tis thy rival. O thou ſenſeleſs form,
Thou ſhalt be wor ſhipp'd, kiſs d, lov'd and ador'd z
And were there ſenſe in his idolatry, |
My ſubſtance ſhould be ſtarue in thy ſtead,
Fll uſe thee kindly for thy miſtreſsꝰ fake,
Tu us'd me 2 or _ by Jove I vow,: ---
ſhould have ſcratch'd out your unſeeing eyes,
Te make my maſter out of love with — FEx#,

*
% * * S

64 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

ACT v. SCENE I.
SCE N E continues in Milan.
Enter Eglamour.

_ ©, EcLamovur.
Ak ſun begins to gild the weſtern sky,
And now it is about the very hour
1 N Silvia, at Friar Patrick's cell, ſhould meet
me. | 0 |
she will not fail; for lovers break not

hours,

Unleſs it be to come before their time:
So much they ſpur their My gr i We
See where ſhe comes. Lady, à happy evening.

Enter Silvia.

Sil. Amen, Amen: Go on, good Eglamour,

Out at the poſtern by the abbey-wall:

J fear Lam attended by ſome ſpies. bait 1
. Fear nor; the foreſt is not three leagues off;

If we recover that, we're ſure enough. [ Exennt.

SCENE II.
Enter Thurio, Protheus and Julia.

Thu. Sir Protheus, what fays Silvia to my ſait ?
Pro. Oh Sir, I fiad her milder than ſhe was,
And yet ſhe takes exceptions at your perſon.

Thu, What, that my Leg is tos long?
Fus. No; that it is tgo little.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona. 65

Thu. I'll wear a boot, to make, it fomewhat rounder,
Pro. But love will not be ſpurr's to what it loaths. |
Thu. What ſays ſne to my face? |

Pro. She ſays it is a fair one.

Thu. Nay, then the wanton lyes; my — is ; Black.

Pro. But pearls are fairz and the old ſayiog is,

Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies eyes.

Ful. Tis true, ſuch pearls as put out ladies eyes;
For I had rather wink than look on them, R

Thu. How likes ſhe my diſeourſe?

Pro. Ill, when you talk of war.

The. But well when I diſcourſe-of Jove and peace Þ

Jul. But better indeed when you hold your peace,

Thu. What ſays ſhe to my va ur?

Pro. Oh, Sir, ſhe makes no doubt of that. I
al. She needs not, when ſhe knows it cowardile,
1. What ſays ſhe to my. birth? _
0. That you are well deriv'd.
ul. True; from a gentleman to a fool.

Thu. Conſiders ſhe my poſſeſſions ?
Pro. Oh, ay, and pities . :

Thu. Wherefore? h

Ful. That ſuch an afs mould own thera,
Pro. That they are out by leaſe.

el. Here comes the Duke.

Enter Duke. * | * 4 |

Duke. How now, Sir Prothens ? how now, 2
Which of you ſaw Sir Eglamour of late ?
Th. Not L. |
Pro. Nor I
Duke. Saw you my daughter ?
Pro. Neither.
Duke. Why then
She's fled unto the peafant Valentins;
And Eglamour is in her company. *
"Tis true; for Friar Laurence met them both,
As he in penance wander'd through the foreſt:
Him he knew well, and guels'Mthat'it was ſhe;
But

66 The Tuo Gentlemen of Verona.

Bat being mask'd, he was not ſure of it.
Bendes, ſhe did intend coafeſſion |
At Patricł's cell this ev'n, and there ſhe was not:
Theſe likelihoods confirm: her flight from hence.
Therefore I pray you ſtand: not to diſcourſe,
But mount you preſently, and meet with me
Upon the riſing of the mountain foot
That leads tow'rds Manta, whit her they are fled,
Diſpatch, ſweet gentlemen, and follow me. ¶ Exit Duke

Thu. Why this it is to- be a peeviſh girl, =
That flies her fortune where it follows her: 4
IH after, more to be reveng d of: Eglamour,
Than for the love of wreckleſt Situin. 2

Pro. And I will folow, more for Silvias love,
Than hate of Eglamonr that goes with her,

Ful. And 1 will follow, more to croſs that love,

Than hate for Silvia; that is gone for love. [Exexm.

1 ts _—_ wy

The Foreſt. ©

Enter Silvia and Outlaws.

Out. OME, come, be patient; we muſt bring
you to our captain.
Sil. A thouſand more miſchances than this one
Have learat me how to brook this patiently.
2 Out. Come, bring her aẽw ax.
1 Out, Where is the gentleman that was with her?
| 3 Orr. Being nimble-footed, he bath out-run us;
But Moyſes and Valerius follow him. |
Go thou with her to th' weſt end of the wood,
There is our captain: follow him that's fled.
| The thicker is beſet, he cannot 'ſcape. |
Out. Come, I muſt bring you to our captain's cave,
Fear not; he bears an honourable mind,
And will not uſe a woman lawlefly. Fe
Su. O Valentine ! ibis 1 endure for thee. ¶ Excunt.
1 . SCENE.

1
]
E
þ
1
0
|
I
.
1
1
\
I
|
g
*
g

The Two Gentlemen of Verona. 67

SCENE IV.
Enter Valentine.

Val, How uſe doth breed a habit in a man!
This ſhadowy deſart, unfrequented woods,
better brook than flouriſhing peopled towns.
Here I can ſit alone, unſeen of any, |
And to the nightingale's complaining notes,
Tune my diſtreſſes, and record my woes.

O thou that doſt inhabir in my breaſt,

Leave not the manſion ſo long tenantleſs,.
Leſt, growing ruinous, the building fall,

And leave no memory of whar it was.
Repair me with thy preſence, Silvia;

Thou gentle nymph, cheriſn thy forlorn ſwain.
What hollo wing and what ſtir is this to-day?

Theſe are my mates that make their wills their laws

Have ſome unhappy paſſenger in chaſe,
They love me well, yer I have much to do
To keep: them from uncivil ourrages.

Withdraw thee, Valentin : who's this comes here

Enter Protheus, Silvia and Julia.

Pro. Madam, this ſervice I have done for you,
(Tho' you reſpe& not aught your ſervant doth).
To hazard life, and reſcue you from him

That wou'd have forc'd your honour and your love.

Vouchſafe me for my meed but one fair look:
A ſmaller boon than this I cannot beg,
And leſs than this I'm ſure you cannot give.

Val. How: like a dieam is this? I ſee and hear:

Love lend me patience to forbear a while.
Sil. O miſerable unhappy that I am!
Pro. Unhappy were you, Madam, ere L came;

But by my coming I have made you happy.

Sil. By thy approach thou maꝶ ſt me moſt unhappy.

68 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Ful. And me when he approacheth to your preſence,
[ 4ſude.

Sil. Had I been ſeized by a hungry lion,
I wou'd have been a breakfaſt to the beaſt,
Rather than have falſe Protheus reſcue me.
Oh heav'n be judge, how 1 love Valentine,
Whole life's as tendey to me as. my ſoul;
And full as much, for more there cannot be,
J do deteſt falſe perjur d Protheus, |
Therefore be gone, ſollicit me no more.

Pro. What dang rous action, ſtood it next to death,
Would I not undergo for one calm look ?
Oh, *tis the curſe in love, for ever prov'd, _
When women cannot love where they're belov'd.

Sil. When Protheus cannot love where he's beloy'd,

Read oyer Fulia's heart, thy firſt beſt love,
For whoſe dear fake thou then didſt rend thy faith
Into a thouſand oaths; and all thoſe oaths
- Deſcended into perjury to deceive me. Te
Thou haſt no faith left now, unleſs thou'dt two,
And that's far worſe than none: better have none
Than plural faith, which is too much by one.
Thou counterfeit to thy true friend.

Pro. In love
Who reſpects friend?

Sil. All men but Protheut. |

Pro. Nay, if the gentle ſpirit of moving words
Can no way change you to a milder form;
Vil move you, like a ſoldier, at arm's end,
And love you 'gainſt the nature of Love; force ye.

Sil. Oh heav'n! |

Pro. Tl force thee yield to my deſire.

Val. Ruffian, let go that rude uncivil touch,
Thou friend of an ill faſhion. |

Pro. Valentine! ©

Val. Thou common friend, that's without faith or love;

For ſuch is a friend now: thou treach'rous man!
Thou haſt beguil'd my hopes; nought but mine eye
Could have perſuaded me. I dare not ſay

I have one friend alive ; thou wouldſt diſprove ms.

-

The Tus Gentlemen of Verona. 69

Who ſhould be truſted now, when the right Hand

Is perjur'd to the boſom? Protheus,

I'm ſorry I muſt never truſt thee more,

But count the world a ſtranger for thy fake.

The private wound is deepeſt. Oh time, moſt accurſt!

Mongſt all foes, that a friend ſhould be the worſt!

Pro. My ſhame and guilt confound me ;

Forgive me, Valentine ; if hearty ſorrow

Be a ſufficient ranſom for offence,

I tender't here; I do as truly ſuffer,

As e er I did commit.

Val. Then I am paid:

And once again I do receive thee honeſt, .

Who by repentance js not ſatisfy d,

Is nor of heav'n nor earth, for theſe are pleas d;

By penitence th*Eternal's wrath's appeas d.

And that my love may appear plain and free,

All that was mine in Silvia I give thee, T |
Jul. Oh me unhappy! [ Swoons,
Pro. Look to the boy. I
Val. Why, boy? how now? what's the matter?

took up; ſpeak. |
Jul. O good Sir, my maſter charg'd me to deliver

a ring to Madam Silvia, which, out of my neglect,

was never done. |

Pro, Where is that ring, boy ?

Jul. Here tis: this is it.
Pro. How ? let me ſee:

This is the ring I gave to Julia.

Jul. Oh, cry you mercy, Sir, I have miſtook z

This is the ring you ſent to Silvia.
Pro. How cam'ſt thou by this ring? at my depart

I gave this unto Fulia.

Jul. And Julia her ſelf did give it me,

And Fulta her ſelf hath brought it hither,
Pro. How Julia? .
Þ+ It is (I think) very odd to give up his miſtreſs thus

at onee, without any reaſon alledg'd. But our author

probably followed the flories juſt as he found them, in

his Novels, as well as in his Hiftories, | a

70 The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Ful. Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths,
entertain dem deeply in her heart:
How oft haſt thou with perjury cleft the root?
Oh Frotheus, let this habit make thee bluſh!
Be thou aſham'd that I have took upon me
Such an immodeſt rayment. If ſhame live
In a diſguiſe of love,
It is the leſſer blot modeſty finds,
Women to change their ſhapes, than men their minds.
Pro. Than men their minds? tis true, oh heav'n,
were man
But conſtant, he were perfect; that one error
Fills him with faults, makes him run through all fins:
Inconſtancy falls off ere it begins.
What is in Silvia's face, but I may ſpy
More freſh in Julias with a conſtant eye?
Val. Come, come, a hand from either:
Let me be bleſt to make this happy cloſe;
Twere pity two ſuch friends Mould long be foes.
Pro. Bear witneſs, heav'n, I have my wiſh for ever.
Jul. And I mine. 5

SCENE V.

Enter Duke, Thurio, and Out-laws.
Out. A prize, a prize, a prize!
Val. Forbear, forbear, it is my lord the Duke.
' Your Grace is welcome to a man diſgrac'd,
The baniſh'd Valentine.
Duke. Sir Valentine?
Thu. Yonder is Silvia: and Silvia's mine. .
Val. Thurio, give back; or elſe embrace thy death
- Come not within the meaſure of my wrath.
Do not name Silvia thine; if once again,
Verona ſhall' not hold thee. Here ſhe ſtands,
Take but poſſeſſion of her with a touch;
I dare thee but to breathe upon my love.
Thu. Sir Valentine, I care not for her, I.
1 hold him but a fool that will endanger
His body for a girl that loyes him not;

0,

The Tuo Gentlemen of Verona. 71

1 claim her not; and therefore ſhe is thine.

Duke. The more degenerate and baſe art thou,
To make ſuch means for her as thou haſt done,
And leave her on ſuch flight conditions.

Now, by the honour of my anceſtry,

I do applaud thy ſpirit, Valentine,

And think thee worthy of an empreſs! love:
Know then, I here forget all former griefs,
Cancel all grudge, repeal thee home again,

Plead a new ſtate in thy unrival'd merit,

To which I thus ſubſcribe: Sir Valentine,

Thou art a gentleman, and well deriv'd,

Take thou thy Silvia, for thou haſt deſery'd her.

Val. I thank your Grace; the gift hath made me happy.
I now beſeech you, for your daughter's fake,

To grant one boon that I ſhall ask of you.

Duke. I grant it for thine own, whate'er it be.

Val. Theſe baniſh'd men that I have kept withal,
Are men endu'd with worthy qualities:

Forgive them what they have commitred here,
And let them be recall'd from their exile,
They are reformed, civil, full of good,

And fit for great employment, worthy lord.

Duke. Thou haſt prevail'd, I pardon them and thee;
Diſpoſe of them as thou know'ſt their deſerts.
Come, let us go; we will include all jars
With triumphs, mirth, and all ſolemnity.

Val. And as we walk along, I dare be bold
With our diſcourſe to make your Grace to ſmile.
What think you of this Page, my lord?

Duke. I think the boy hath grace in him, he bluſhes,

Val. I warrant you, my lord, more grace than boy.

Duke. What mean you by that ſaying?

Val. Pleaſe you, I'll tell you as we pals along,
That you will wonder what hath fortuned. |
Come Protheus, tis your penance but to hear
The ſtory of your love diſcovered:

That done, our day of marriage ſhall be yours,
One feaft, one houſe, one mutual happineſs.
[ Exeunt omnes.

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|” INDSOR

A

COME D Y.

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5
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By Mr. WILLIAM SHAKESPEAR,

LONDON:

Printed for J. Tonsox, and the reſt of the PR 6-
PRIETORS; and fold by the Bookſellers of
| London and Weſtminſter,

— TO — —

4. 5 Mocc xxxiv.

Dramatis Perſonæ.

IR John Falſtaff,
Fenton, a young Gentleman of ſmall For-
tnue, in Love with Mrs, Anne Page.
Shallow, 4 Country Fuſtice.
Slender, Couſin to Shallow, a fooliſh Country

Squire,
Mr. 'Page,? c Gentlemen, dwelling at Wind-
Mr. Ford ſor,

Sir Hugh Evans, a Welch Parſon,
Dr. Caius," a French Doctor. k
Hoſt of the Garter, a merry talking Fellow,

Bardolph, 2
ſtol,* Sharpers attending on Falſtaff,
Nym, *

Robin, Page 10 Falſtaff

William Page, a Bay, Son 10 Mr, Pages
Simple, Servant to Slender.

Rugby, Servant to Dr. Caius.

Mrs. Page, Wife to Mr. Page.

Mis. Ford, Wife to Mr, Ford.

Mrs. Anne Page, Daughter to Mr. Page,
in Love with Fenton,

Mrs. Quickly, Servant 10 Dr, Caius,

Servants to Page, Ford, Sc.

SCENE Winder.

THE

AY I AQ <|

.

Merry Wives of Windſor.

_—_——

c_—

ACT IL S RNA

Enter Fuſtice Shallow, Slender, and Sir Hugh

Evans,

SHALLOW

IR Hugh, perſuade me not; I will
make a Star-Chamber Matter of it:
If he were twenty Sir Fohn Falſtaffs,
Wall he ſhall not abuſe Robert Shallow,
ll E1q; |

2 Slen. In the County of Ghuceſter,
Juſtice of Peace, and Coræm.

Shal. Ay, Couſin Slender, and Caf

talbrum.

Slen. Ay, and Noto-larum too; and a Gentleman born,
Maſter Parſon, who writes himſelf Armigero, in any Bill,
Warrant, Quittance, or Obligation, Armigers.

Shal. Ay, that I do, and have done, any time theſe
three "Be Years. ke.

len. All his Succeſſors, gone before him, have don't:
and all his Anceſtors, that come after him, may; they
may give the dozen white Luces in their Coat.

Shal. It is an old Coat. | a

Eva. The dozen white Lowſes to become an 0!d Coat
well; it agrees well Paſſant; it is a familiar Beutt to
Man, and tignifies Love. | |
: Shal. The Luce is the Freſh-fiſh, the Salt-£fh is an old

oat,

A 2 Sen.

4 Tho Merry Wives

Sleu. I may quarter, Ccz,

Shal. You may, by marrying.

Eva. It is marring indeed, if he quarter it.

Shal. Not a whit. |

Ewa. Yes, per Lady ; if he has a quarter of your Coat,
there is but three Skirts for your ſelf, in my fimple Con-

jectures; but that is all one: If Sir Fohn Falſiaſ have

committed Diſparagements upon you, I am of the Church,
and will be glad to do my Benevolence, to make Atone-
ments and Compromiſes between you. |

-. $Shal. The Council ſhall hear it; it is a Riot.

Ewa. It is not meet the Council hear of a Riot; there
is no Fear of Got in a Riot: The Council, look you,
ſhall defire to hear the Fear of Got, and not to hear a

Riot; take your viza-ments in that.
Sbal. Ha! o' my Life, if I were young again, the
Sword ſhould end it.

Ewa. It is petter that Friends is the Sword, and end |

it; and there is alſo another Device in my Prain, which
peradventure prings good Diſcretions with it : . There is
Anne Page, which is Daughter to Maſter George Page,
which is pretty Virginity. -
Sen. Mrs. Anne Page? ſhe has brown Hair and
ſpeaks ſmall like a Woman. 7

Ewa. It is that ferry Perſon for all the Orld, as juſt as
you will deſire: and ſeven hundred Pounds of Monies,
and Gold, and Silver, is her Grandfire upon his Death bed
(Got deliver to a joyful Reſurrections) give, when ſhe is a-
ble to overtake ſeventeen Vears old: It were a good moti-
on, if we leave our pribbles and prabbles, and deſire a Mar-
riage between Maſter Abrabam and Miſtreſs Anne Page.

Sen. Did her Grandſire leave her ſeven hundred Pounds!

Ewn. Ay, and her Father is make her a petter Penny.

Sleu. I know the young Gentlewoman : ſhe has good
Gifts. |

Ewa. Seven hundred Pounds and Poflibilities is goot
Gifts. |

Shal. Well; let us ſee honeſt Mr. Page; Is Fa/taff there?

Eva. Shall I tell you a Lye? I do deſpiſe a Lyar as I do
deſpiſe one that is falſe; or as I deſpiſe one that is not
true. The Knight, Sir John, is there? and I beſeech you
be ruled by your Well wiſhers. I will peat the Door.

| | [ Knocks.)

of WINDSOR,
"Knccts] for Maſter Page. What hoa? Got bleſs your

Houſe here.
Enter Mr. Page.

Page. Who's there ?

Eva. Here's Got's plefling and your Friend, and Ju-
ſtice Sballoꝛo; and here's young Maſter Slender, that per-
adyentures ſhall tell you another Tale, if matters grow
to your likings.

Page. I am glad to ſee your Worſhip's well: I thank
you for my Veniſon, Maſter Shah. |

Shal. Maſter Page, I am glad to ſee you ; much good
do it your good Heart: I wiſh'd your Veniſon better; it
was ill Kill'd. How doth good Miſtreſs Page? And 1
thank you always with my Heart, la; with my Heart.

Page. Sir, I thank you.

Shad. Sir, I thank you; by yea and no I, do

Page. I am glad to ſee you, good Matter S Ender.

Slen. How does your fallow Greyhound, Sir ? 4 heard
* he was outrun on Cotſale.

Page. It could not be judg'd, Sir.

Sen. You'll not confels, you'll not confeſs,

Shal. That he will not; *tis your Fault, tis your Fault,
'tis a good Dog.

Page. A Cur, Sir,

Shal. Sir, he's a good Dog, and a fair Dog ; can
there be more ſaid? He is good and fair. Is Sir John
Faliaff here?

Page. Sir, he's within ; and I would I could do a good
Office between you.

Eva. It is ſpoke as a Chriſtians ought to ſpeak.

Shal, He hath wrong'd me, Maſter Page.

Page. Sir, he doth in ſome ſort confeis it.

Sal. If it be confeſs'd, it is not redreſs'd; is not that
ſo, Maſter Page? He hath wrong'd me, indeed he hath,
at a word he hath, believe me, Robert Shallrw, Eſquire,
faith, he is wrong'd.

Page. Here comes Sir Fohr.

Enter Sir John Falitaff, Bardolph, Nym, and Piſtol.

Fal, Now, Maſter Shallew, you'll complain of me ta
the King?

Shal. Knight, you have beaten my Men, Kkill'd my
Noor, and broke open my Lodge.

A 3 Fal.

—

6 The Merry Wives
Fal. But not kiſs'd your Keeper's Daughter.
Shall. Tut, a pin; this ſhall be anſwer d.

Fal. I will anſwer it ſtraight; I have done all this.
That is now anſwer'd. |

Zhal. Ne Council ſhall know this.

Fal Twere better for you, if it were known in Coun-
eil; You'll be laugh'd at. 1

Eva. Pauca werba, Sir Fohn, good Worts. |
Fal. Good Worts? Good Cabbage. Sender, I broke :
your Head : what Matter have you againſt me ?

Sen. Marry, Sir, I have Matter in my Head againſt '

you, and againſt your Cony-catching Raſcals, Baraolpb, ,

Mm, and Piftol.

Bar. You Banbury Cheeſe.

Sen. Ay, it is no matter,

— How now, Mepboſtophilus P

Slen. Ay, it is no matter, :

Njm. Slice, I ſay, pauca, pauca: Slice, that's my Hu-
mour. -

Sen. Where's Simple, my Man? Can you tell, Coufin ?
Ewa. Peace, I pray you; Now let us underſtand ; there
is three Umpires in this matter, as I underſtand ; that
is, Maſter Page, fidelicet, Maſter Page: and there is my
ſelf, fdehicet, my ſelf; and the three Party is, laſtly, and
finally, mine Hoſt of the Garter.

| 54 Page, We three to hear it, and end it between
them. | |

Ewa. Ferry goot; I will make a Prief of it in my
Note book, and we will afterwards ork upon the Cauſe
with as great diſcretly as we can. |

Fal. . |

P//?. He hears with Ears,

Eva. The Tevil and his Tam; what Phraſe is this,
te hears with Far? Why it is AffeQations.

Fal. Piſtol, did you pick Maſter Slender's Purſe ? _

S/n. Ay, by theſe Gloves, did he, or I would I might
never come in mine own great Chamber again elſe, of
ſev... Groats in Mill-ſixpences, and two Edward Shovel-
boards, that coſt me two Shilling and two Pence a-piece,

df Tad Miller; by theſe Gloves. E
4 Fal. Is this true . ? od et” ne
Eva. No; it is falſe, if it is a Pick-purſe,

wt ˙ —

„% Qs A _ 0

Pi.

.

Lear it.

of WI NDS OoR. 7
Pi. Ha! thou Mountain Foreigner; Sir John, and
Matter mine, I Combat challenge of this Latin Bilboe ;
Word of denial in thy Labras here; word of Denial ;
Froth and Scum, thou ly'ſt.
$/:n. By theſe Gloves, then twas he.
Mun. Be advis'd, Sir, and paſs good Humours: I will

ſay marry trap with you, if you run the baſe Humour

on me; that is the very Note of it.

Slen. By this Hat, then he in the red Face had it; for
tho' I cannot remember what I did when you made me
drunk, yet I am not altogether an Aſs. |

Fal. What ſay you, Scarlet and Fohn ?

Bard. Why, Sir, for my part, I ſay, the Gentlemen

had drunk himſelf out of his five Sentences.
Eva. It is his five Senſes : Fy, what the Ignorance i is;
Bard. And being ſap, Sir, Was, as they ſay, caſhier 44,

and fo Concluſions paſt the Car-eires.

Slen. Ay, you ſpeak in Latin then too; but tis no mat-
ter; PU nc'er be drunk whilſt I live again, but in honeſt,
civil, godly Company for this Trick; if I be drunk III

be drank with thoſe that have the Fear of God, and not

with drunken Knaves.
Ea. So Got udge me, that is a virtuous Mind.
Ful. You hear all theſe Matters deny'd, Gentlemen, you

Enter Mes. Anne Page, cuith Wine.

Page. Nay, Daughter, carry the Wine in; we'll drink
within, [Exit Anne Page.

Sleu. On Heaven! this is Miftreſs Anne Page.

Enter Miſtreſs Ford and Miſtreſs Page.

Page. How now, Miſtreſs Ford?

Fal Miſtreſs Ford, by my Troth, youare very well
met; by your leave, good Miſtreſs.

Page. Wife, bid theſe Gentlemen welcome; Come, ue
have a hot Veniſon Paſty to dinner: Come, Gentlemen,
I 885 we ſhall drink down all Unkindnefs, |

[Ex. Fal. Page, Er.
Manent Shallow, Evans ard Slender.
Slen. J had rather than forty Shilling, I had my Book:

of Songs and Sonnets here.
Enter Simple.
How now, Simple, where have you been? I muſt wait

A 4 | on

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8 The . Wives
en my ſelf, muſt I ? you have not the Book of Riddles

about you, have you ?

Simp. Book of Riddles! Why, did you not lend it to
Alice Short-cake upon Alhallowmas laſt, a Fortnight afore
Martlemas ?

Sal. Come, Coz; rome, Coz ; we ſtay for you: A
word with you, Coz : Marry this, Coz ? there is, as
'twere a Tender, a kind of Tender, made afar off by Sir

Hugh here: Do you underſtand me?
' Slen, Ay, Sir, you ſhall find me reaſonable : Ifi it be ſo,
1 will do that that is reaſon :

Shal. Nay but underſtand me.

Slen. So I do, Sir. |

Eva. Give ear to his Motions, Mr. Slender : J will
deſcription the matter to you, if you be Capacity of it.
| — Nay, I will do as my Couſin Shallow fays: 1
rf tas , pardon me: he's a Juſtice of Peace in his Coun:
try, ſumple tho I ſtand here.

Ess. But that is no? the Queſtion : The Queſtion us
concerning your Marriage.
$hal. Ay, there's the point, Sir.

Eva. Marry is it; the very point of it, to Mrs. Ann
Page.

The. Why, if it be ſo, I will marry her upon any rea-
ſonable Demands.

Eva. But can you affeQion the Aman ? Let us com-
mand to know that of your Mouth, or of your Lips: For
divers Philoſophers hold that the Lips is Parcel of the
Mind: Therefore preciſely, can you carry your good
Will to the Maid ?

Sal. Couſin Abrabam Slender, can you love her?

Slen. J hope, Sir; I will do as it ſhall become one that
would do Reaſon.

. Eva. Nay, Got's Lords and his Ladies, you muſt ſpeak
© poſſitzble, if you can carry her your Deſires towards her.
$hal. That you muſt:
Will you upon good Dowry, marry her ?
Silben. I will do a greater thing than that upon your Re-
queſt, Couſin, in any Reaſon.
- F$hal. Nay, conceive me, conceive me, ſweet Coz, what
I do, is to pleaſure you, Coz : Can you love the Maid?

4 Sen.

— — ov BY © —

1 a. Þ

SS +S a es Dom a S4

I

t

of W1ND$SOR. 9

Slen. I will marry her, Sir, at your Requeſt : But if there
be no great Love in the beginning, yet Heaven may de-
creaſe it upon better Acquaintance, when we are marry'd,
and have more occaſion to know one another ; I hope
upon Familiarity will grow more contempt. But if you
ſay, marry her, I will marry her, that I am freely dif-
ſolved, and diſſolutely.

Ewa. It is a ferry diſcretion Anſwer ; fave, the fall is in
th* Ort diſſolutely: The Ort is, according to our meaning,
reſolutely ; his Meaning is good.

Shal. Ay, I think my Couſin meant well.

Sen. Ay, or elſe I would I might be hang'd, la,

Enter Miſtreſs Anne Paps.

Shal. Here comes fair Miſtreſs Aue: Would 1 were
Young for your ſake, Miſtreſs Ame.

Anne. The Dinner is on the Table; my Father de-
fires your Worſhip's Company.

Shal. I will on him, fair Miſtreſs Anne.

Ewa. Od's pleſſed Will, I will not be abſence at the

Grace. [ Exit Shallow and Evans.
Anne. Will't pleaſe your Worthip to come in, Sir?
Sen. No, I thank you forſoeth heatily, I am very well.
Anne. The Dinner attends you, Sir.

Sen. I am not a hungry, I thank you, Forſooth : Go,

Sirrah, for all you are my Man, go wait upon my Cou-

fin Shallow ; Ex. Simple.] A Juſtice of Peace ſomtime

may be beholden to his Friend for a Man. I keep but
three Men and a Boy yet, 'till my Mother be dead; but
what tho', yet I live like a-poor Gentleman born.

Azne. | may not go in without your Worſhip ; they
will not fit till you come.

Slen. I faith, I'll eat nothing; I thank you as much as
though I did.

Anne. I pray you, Sir, walk in. i

Slen. I had rather walk here, I thank you; I braiz'd
my Shin th' other Day, with playing at 3 and Dag-
ger with a Maſter of Fence, three Veneys for a Dith of
fiew'd Prunes, and by my troth, I cannot abide the ſmell
of hat Meat ſince. Why do your Dogs bark ſo? be there
Ee irs i' th' Town?
Arne. E think there are, Sir, I heard them talk'd of.
Slen. I love the Sport well, but I ſhall as ſoon q arrelß

A 5 3

—

10 The Merry Wives

at it as any Man in England. You are afraid, if you ſee
the Bear looſe, are you not ?-

Anne. Ay, indeed, Sir. . |

S/er. That's Meat and Drink to me now; I have ſeen
Saclenſon looſe twenty times, and have taken him by the
Chain; but, I warrant you, the Women have ſo cry'd and
i:riekt at it, that it paſt : But Women, indeed, cannot abide
em, they are very ill- favour'd rough things.

Enter Mr. Page.
Page. Come, gentle Mr. Slender, come; we ſtay for you.
Slen, Pl eat nothing, I thank you, Sir.

Page. By Cock and Pye you ſhall not chooſe, Sir;

come, come,
Slen. Nay, pray you lead the Way.

Page. Come on, Sir. —

Sen. Miſtreis Ane, your ſelf ſhall go firſt.

Anne. Not I, Sir; pray you keep on.

Sen. Truly, I will not go firſt, truly- la: I will not do
you that wrong.

Anne. I pray you, Sir.

Slen. I'll rather be unmannerly than troubleſome ; you
do your ſelf wrong, indeed-la. [Exeurt,

SCENE II.
| Re-Enter Evans and Simple.
Ewa. Go your ways, and aſk of Doctor Calas Houſe

which is the Way; and there dwells one Miſtreſs Quickly,

which is in the manner of his Nurſe, or his dry Nurſe,
or his Cook, or his Laundry, his Waſher, and his Wringer.
Sim. Well, Sir.
Ea. Nay, it is petter yet; give her this Letter; for
jt is a oman that altogethers Acquaintance with Miſtreſs
Arne Page, and the Letter is to deſire and require her
to ſolicit your Maſter's Defires to Mrs. Anne Page: I pray
you be gone; I will make an end of my Dinner; there's
Fippins and Cheeſe to come. [Exeunt feverally.
| SCENE III.
Enter Falſtaff, Hoft, Bardolph, Nym, Piſtol and Robin.
Fal Mine Hoſt of the Garter. .
He. What ſays my Bully rock? ſpeak ſcholarly, and
2 a Fal.

— —

FWINDSOR. (I

Fal. Traly, mine Hoſt, I muſt turn away ſome of my
Followers.

Hot. Diſcard, Bully n calbier 5 let them wag,
trot, . trot.

Fal. I fit at ten Pounds a Week.

Hoſt. Thou'rt an Emperor, Cæſar, Keiſar and Pheazer :
I will entertain Bardo/pb, he ſhall draw, he ſhall tap; ſaid
] well, Bully He&or ?

Fal. Do ſo, good mine Hoſt,

Haſt. T have ſpoke, let him follow; let me ſee thee

froth, and live: I am at a word: Follow. [Exit Hoſt.

Fal Bardolph, follow him, a Tapſter is a good Trade;
an old Cloke makes a new Jerkin ; za Whither'd Serving-
man, a freſh Tapſter; go, adieu.

Bard. It is a Life that I have defir'd : I will thrive.

[Exit Bard.

Sf O baſe Hungarian Wight, wilt thou the Spiggot

wield ?

Nym. He was gotten in Drink ; is not the Humour
conceited ? his Mind is not heroick, and there's the Hu-
mour of it.

Fal. T am glad I am fo quit of this Tinderbox ; his
Thefts were too open, his Filching was like an unskil-
ful Singer, he kept not Time.

Nym. The good Humour is to fteal at a Minute's reit.

Pift. Convey, the Wile it call: Steal? foh, a fico for
the Phraſe.

Fal. Well, Sirs, I am almoſt out at Heels.

Pift. Why then let Kibes enſue.

Fal. There is no remedy : I muſt coni-catch, I muſt ſhift,

Pit. Young Raveng mult have Food.

Fal. Which of you know Ford of this Town ?

Pit. IT ken the Wight, he is of Subſtance good.

Fal. My honeſt Lads, I will tell you what Lam about.

Pit. Iwo Yards and more.

Fal. No Quips now, Pifel: Indeed T am in the waſte
two Yards about; but I am now about no Waite, I am
about Thrift. Briefly, I do mean to make love to Ford's
Wife: I ſpy entertainment in ber; ſhe diſcourſcs, ſhe
carves, ſhe gives the Leer of Invitation; I can conſtrue
the Action of her familiar Stile, and the hardeſt Voice of
her Behaviour, to be engliſt d right, is, / am Sir John

Falſtaff's. Piſt

12 The Merry Nives

Pi. He hath ſtudy'd her Well and tranſlated her Will,
out of Honeſty into Exgliſb.

Nym. The Anchor is deep; will that Humour paſs ?

| Fal. Now the Report goes, ſhe has all the Rule of her
Huſband's Purſe : He hath a Legion of Angels.

- Pift, As many Devils entertain 3 and to her, Boy, fay, I,

Vu. The Humour riſes ; it is good, humour me the
Angels.

Fal. I have writ me here a N to her; and here
another to Page's Wife, who even now gave me good
Eyes too, examin'd my Parts with moſt judicious Hiads,
ſometimes the Beam of her View guilded my Foot, ſome-
times my portly Belly.

Pift. Then did the Sun on Dunghil ſhine.

Vm. I thank thee for that Humour.

Tal. O ſhe did ſo courſe o'er my Exteriors with ſuch
a greedy Intention, that the Appetite of her Eye did ſeem
to ſcorch me up like a Burning-glaſs : Here's another
Letter to her; ſhe bears the Purſe too; ſhe is a Region in
Guiana, all Gold and Bounty. Iwill be Cheater to them
both, and they ſhall] be Exchequers to me; they ſhall be
my Eaſt and We/t- Indies, and I will trade to them. both,
Go, bear thou this Letter to Mrs. Page, and thou
this to Miſtreſs Ford: We will thrive, Lads, we will
thrive,

Pit. Shall I Sir Pandarus of Troy become 7
And by my Side wear Steel? Then Lucifer take all.

. - Nym. I will run no baſe Humour: Here take the Hu-
mour Letter, I will keep the Haviour of Reputation.

Fal. Hold, Sirrah, bear you theſe Letters rightly,

Sail like my Pinance to thele golden Shores. [To Robin.
Rogues, hence, avant, vaniſh lilze Hailſtones ; go,
Trudge, plod away o *th*hoof, ſeek ſhelter, pack :
Falſia will learn the Humour of the Age.
French Thrift, you Rogues, my ſelf, and skirted Page.
Exit Falſtaff and Boy.

| Pipe Let Vultures gripe thy Guts; for Goard, and

Tallum holds: And high and low beguiles the rich and
poor. Teſter Il have in Pouch when thou . lack,
Baie Phrygian Tart. -. -

Nm. I have Operations in my Head,

Which be Humours of Revenge ?

Pip.

d
d

of W1NDSOR.

Pift. Wilt thou revenge?

Nym. By Welkin and her Star.

Pift. With Wit, or Steel ?

Mam. With both the Humours, I:

I will diſcuſs the Humour of this Love to Ford.

Pift. And I to Page ſhall eke unfold
How Falftaff, Varlet vile,

His Dove will prove, his Gold will hold,
And his ſoft Couch defile.

Nym. My Humour ſhall not cool ; I will incenſe Ford to
deal Fa Poiſon. I will poſſeſs kim with Vellowneſs, for
the Revolt of mien is dangerous: That is my trueHumour.

Pift. Thou art the Mars of Male-contents : I ſecond
thee ; troop on. [Exeunt.

SCENE IV. .
Enter Miſtreſs Quickly, Simple, and John Rugby.
. Buic, What, John Rugby! I pray thee go to the Caſe-

-ment, and ſee if you can ſee my Maſter, Maſter Doctor

Cnius, coming; if he do, I'faith, and find any body in
the Houſe, here will be an old abuſing of God's Patience,
and the King's Engliſb.

Rag. I'll go watch. [Exit Rugby.

2uic. Go, and we'll have a Poſſet for't ſoon at Night,
in Faith, at the latter end of a Sea-coal Fire: An honeſt,
willing, Kind Fellow, as ever Servant ſhall come in Houſe
withal, and I warrant you no Tell-tale, nor no Breed-bate ;
his worſt Fault is that he is given toPray'”r, he is ſomething
peeviſh that way; but no body but has his Fault; but let

that paſs. Peter Simple you ſay your Name is.

Simp. Ay, for fault of a better.

nic. And Maſter Slender's your Maſter ?
Smp. Ay, Forſooth.

Qui. Does he not wear a great round Beard, like a
Glover's Paring knife ?

\ Simp* No, Forſooth; he hath but a little Wee-face, with

alittle yellow Beard, a Cane-colour'd Beard.

Quic. A ſoftly-ſprighted Man, is he not?

Sim, Ay, Forſooth; but he is as tall a Man of his
Hands, as any is between this and his Head; he hath
fought with a Warrener.

14 The Merry Wives

Duic, How ſay you? Oh, I mould remember him;

does he not hold up his Head, as it were? and ſtrut in
his Gate?

Simp. Yes, indeed, does he.

Juic. Well, Heav'n ſend Anme Page no worſe Fortune,
Tell Maſter Parſon Ewars, I will do what I can for your
Maſter : Anne is a good Girl, and I with

| Enter Rugby.

Rug. Out, alas ! here comes my Maſter.

Juic. We ſhall all be ſhent; run in here, good young
Man; go into this Cloſet ; ue Simple in the Cljer] He
will not ſtay long. What, ohn Rugby! Fohn! What
TFohn, I ſay; go Jobn, go inquire for my Maſter, I
doubt he be not well, that he comes not home : and down,
down, dewn-a, &c. 5 ig,.
Enter Doctor Caius. ;

Caius. Vat is you ſing ? I. do not like des Toys; pray
you go and vetch me in my Cloſet, an boitier werd; a Box,
a green-a-Box ; do intend vat I ſpeak ? a green- a-Box.

Quic. Ay, Forſooth, III fetch it you.

T am glad he went not in himſelf; if he had found the
Man, he would have been horn-mad. LAlide.

Cazus. Fe, ſe, fe, fe, ma foi. I fait for chaud, je men
eaie a la Cour la grande Afaire. iS |

Duc. Is it this, Sir? : |

Caius. Ouy, mette le au mon Pocket, Depech Quickly:
Ver is dat Knave Rugby?

Duc. What, Jobn Rugby! Toba!

Rug. Here, Sir, |

Caius. You are John Rugby, and you are Jack Ragh ;
come, take a your Rapier, and come after my Heel to
the Court. |

Rug. Tis ready, Sir, here in the Parch. |

Caius By my Trot I tarry too long Od's me Que ay

je cublie: Dere is ſome Simples in my Cloſet, dat I will

not for the Varld J ſhall leave behind.

Quic. Ay me, he' Il find the young Man there, and be mad. |

Caius. O Diable, Diable ; vat is in my Cloſet?
Villaine, Larroz, Rugby, my Rapier.
| [Pulls Simple out of the Cloſer.
Duic. Good Maſter, be content. .
Caius. Wherefore ſhould I be content-a ?

Quic.

15

of WINDSOR, 1 5
Buic. The young Man is an honeſt Man.
Caius, What ſhall the honeſt Man do in my Cloſet ? dere
is no honeſt Man dat ſhall come in my Cloſet.

Quic I beſeech you be not fo flegmatick ; hear the
truth of it. He came of an Errand to me from Parſon

ugh.

Caine Vell.

Simp. Ay Forſooth, to deſire her to —

Pere, Peace, I pray you.

Caiu Peace.a your Tongue, ſpeak a your Tale.

Simp. To deſire this honeit Gentlewoman, your Maid
to ſpeak a good Word to Miſtreſs Anne Page for my Ma-
ſter in the way of Marriage.

Quic. This is all indeed la; but Pl ne'er put my Fin-
ger in the Fire, and need not.

Caius. Sir Hugh ſend-a-you ? Rugby, baillez me ſome
Paper; tarry you a little a- while.

Nic. I am glad he is ſo quiet; if he had been through-
ly moved, you ſhould have heard him fo loud, and fo
melancholy : But notwithſtanding, Man, I'll do for your
Maſter what good I can ; and the very yea, and the no is,
the French, Doctor my Maſter, I may call him my Maſter,
look you, for I keep his Houſe, and I wafh, wring, brew,
bake, ſcour, dreſs Meat and Drink, make the Beds, and
do all my ſelf.

Hay. 'Tis a great Charge to come under one body's
Hand. |

Quic. Are you a-vis'd o'that ? you ſhall find it a great
Charge ; and to be up early, and down late. But notwith-
ſtanding, to tell you in your Ear, I would have no words
of it, my Maſter himſelf is in Love with Miſtreſs Anne
Page; but notwithſtanding that, I know Anne's Mind,
that's neither here nor there. |

| Caius. You, Jack'Nape ; give a this Letter to Sir Hugh,
by gar it is a Shallenge : I will cut his Troat in de Parke,
and I will teach a ſcurvy Jack-a nape Prieſt to meddle or
make — You may be gone, it is not good you tarry here;
by gar I will cut him all his twoStones, by gar, he ſhall not
have a Stone to trow at his Dog. [Exit Simp.
Buic. Alas, he ſpeaks but for his Friend.
Caius. It is no matter a ver dat: Do you not tell.a me

dat, 1 ſhall have Anne Page for my ſelf ? by gar, I will kill
de

. —— —-„—— -
EE 2

— — =

- —
— 1

4
* *
„ **
rr

75
it;
nt

16 The Merry Wives

de Jack Preeſt; and J have appointed mine Hoſt of 4
F arteer to meaſure our Weapon; By gar, I will my ſelf
have Aune Page. |
Quic. Sir, the Maid loves you, and all ſhall be well: We
mult give Folks leave to prate; what the good-jer.
Caius. Rugby, come to the Court with me; by gar, if
I have not Anne Page, I ſhall turn your Head out of my
Door; follow my Heels, Rugby: [Ex. Caius and Rugby.
Quic. You ſhall have 4» Fools-head of your own. No,
I know Anne's Mind for that; never a Woman in Wind-
for knows more of Aune's Mind than I do, nor can do more
than I do with her, I thank Heav'n. |
Fent. [wwithin,) Who's within there, hoa ?
Duc. Who's there, I trow ? Come near the Houſe, I

pray you.
Enter Mr. Fenton.

. Fent, How now, good Woman. how doſt thou?

. The better that it pleaſes your good Worſhip to
ASK.

Fent. What News ? How does pretty Miſtreſs Anne ?

Quic. In truth, Sir, and ſhe is pretty, and honeſt, and
gentle, and one that is your Friend, I can tell you that by
the way, I praiſe Heav'n for it.

Fent. Shall I do any good think'ſt thou? Shall I not
loſe my Suit ? | |

Quic. Troth, Sir, all is in his Hands above; but not-
withſtanding, Maſter Fenton, I'll be ſworn on a Book ſhe
Joves you: Have not your Worſhip a Wart above your

ye ? [a |

Fent. Yes, marry have I; and what of that!

Quic. Well, thereby hangs a Tale; good Faith, it is.
ſuch another Nan; but, I deteſt, an honeſt Maid as ever
broke Bread; we had an Hour's talk of that Wart: I ſhall
never laugh but in that Maid's Company] but, indeed, ſhe
35 given too much to Allicholly and Mufing; but for
vou Well — go to

Fent. Well, I ſhall ſee her to day; hold, there's Money
for thee : Let me hare thy Voice in my behalf; if thou
ſeeſt her before me, commend me.

Quic. Will I? Ay, faith, that we will: And I will tel]
your Worſhip mere of the Wart, the next time we have
confidence, and of other Woers. |

Fent..

[

of WIN PDS OR. 17

Fent. Well, farewel, I am in great haſte now [ Exit.
Buic. Fare wel to your Worſhip. Truly an honeſt Gen-
tleman, but Anne loves him not; I know Anne's Mind as
well as another does. Out upon't, what have I for-
got ? 6: 850 [ Exit.

CT IL .

Enter Mrs. Page with a Letter.
Mrs. Page. HAT, have I ſcap'd Love-Letters in
the Holy-day time of my Beauty, and
am I now a Subject for them? let me ſee:

Ait me no Reaſons why I love you ; for tho Leve uſe Rea-
fon for his Precifion, he admits him not for his Counſellor :
You are not young, no more am J; go to then, there's Sym-
pathy : You are merry, ſo am I; ha! ha! ihen there's more
Sympathy : You love Sack, and fo do I; would you defere bet-
ter Sympathy? Let it ſuffice thee, Miſtreſs Page, at the
leaſ if the Love of a Soldier can ſuffice, that I love thee, 1
will not ſay, Pity me, "tis not a Seldier-like Phraſe ; but 1
Jay, Love me. |

By me, thine own true Knight, by Day or Night,
Or any kind of Light, with all his Might, |
For thee to fight. John Falſtaff,

What a Herodof Jeaury is this? O wicked, wicked World
One that is well nigh worn to pieces with Age,
To ſhow himſelf a young Gallant ? What unwayed
Behaviour hath this Flemi4b Drunkard pickt,
Pth' Devil's Name, out of my Converſation, that he dares
in this manner aſſay me? Why. he hath not been thrice in
my Company : What ſhould I fay to him ? I was then fru-
gal of my Mirth, Heaven forgive me: Why, Pll exhi-
bit a Bill in the Parliament for the putting down of fat
Men; how ſhall I be revengedon him? for reveng'd I will
be, as ſure as his Guts are made of Puddings.
Enter Mrs. Ford.
Mrs. Ferd. Mrs. Page, truſt me, I was going to
your Houle, |
Mrs.

18 The Merry Wives

Mrs. Page. And truſt me, I was coming to you? you
| look w ill. |

Mrs. Ford. Nay, I'Il neꝰer believe that: I have to ſhery
to the contrary. |

Mrs. Page. Faith, but you do, in my mind.

Mrs. Ford. Well, I do then; yet I fay, a could ſhew
you to the contrary : O Miſtreſs Page, give me ſome
counſel, ' | | |

Mrs. Page. What's the matter, Woman ?

Mrs. Ford. O Woman! if it were not for one triſling
Reſpect. I could come to ſuch honour. 3

Mrs. Page. Hang the trifle, Woman, take the Ho-
nour; What is it? diſpenſe with Trifles ; what is it ?

Mrs. Ford. If T would but go to Hell for an eternal
Moment, or fo, I could be knighted. |
Mrs. Page. What, thou lieſt ! Sir Alice Ford] theſe

Knights will hack, and ſo thou ſhouldſt not alter the
Article of thy Gentry. | |

Mrs. Ford. We burn Day-light, here; read, read, per-
ceive how I might be knighted : I ſhall think the worſe
of fat Men as long as T have an Eye to make difference
of Men's hiking ; and yet he would not ſwear, praiſe Wo-
men's Modeſty, and gave ſuch orderly and well behaved
Reproof to all Uncomlinefs, that I would have {worn his
Diſpoſttion would have gone to the Truth of his Words;
but they do no more adhere, and keep place together,
than the hundredth Pſalm to the Tune of Green Sltewes.
What Tempeſt, I trow, threw this Whale, with ſo many
Tun of Oil in his Belly, aſhore at Vinuſer? How fhall.1
be reveng'd on him? I think the beſt way were to enter-
tain him with Hope, till the wicked Fire of Lult have
melted him in his own Greaſe. Did you ever hear the
like ? |

Mrs. Page. Letter for Letter, but that the Name of Page
and Ford differs. To thy great Comfort in this myſtery of
ill Opinions, here's the Twin-brother of thy Letter; but
lef-thine inherit firſt, for I proteſt mine never ſnall. 1
warrant he hath a thouſand of theſe Letters, writ with
blank ſpace for different Names, nay more ; and theſe are
of the ſecond Edition : He will print them out of doubt,
for he cares not what he puts into the Preis, when he
would put us two. I had rather be a Gianteſs, and lie
| r

p
,

of W1NDs0R. 19

under Mount Pelion. Well, I will find you twenty laſci-
vious Turtles, ere one chafte Man.
Mrs. Ford. Why, thrs is the very ſame, the very Hand,

the very Words ; what doth he think of us?

Mrs. Page. Nay,-I know not; it makes me almoſt rea-
dy to wrangle with mine own Honeſty, I'll entertain my
ſelf like one that I am not acquainted withal ; for ſure
unleſs he knew ſome Strain in me, that I know not my

' ſelf, he woyld never have boarded me in this Fury.

Mrs. Ford. Boarding, call it you? I'll be ſure to keep
him above Deck. |

Mrs. Page. So will I ; if he come under my Hatches,
I'll never to Sea again. Let's be reveng'd on him, let's
appoint him a Meeting, give him a ſhow of Comfort in
his Suit, and lead him on with a fine baited delay, till he
hath pawn'd his Horſes to mine Hoſt of the Gatter.

Mrs. Ford. Nay, I will conſent to act any Villany a-
gainſt him that may not ſully the Charineſs of our Ho-
neſty : O that my Husband ſaw this Letter, it would give
eternal Food to his Jealouſy.

Mrs. Page. Why, look where he comes, and my good
Man too ? he's as far from Jealouſy as I am from giving
him Cauſe, and that, I hope, is an unmeaſurable dittance,

Mrs. Ferd. You are the happier Woman.

Mrs. Page. Let's conſult together againſt this greaſy
Knight, Come hither [They retire.

Enter Ford with Piſtol, Page ait Nym.

Ferd. Well, I hope it be not ſo.

Piſt. Hope is a Curtal Dog in ſome Affairs.
Sir John affects thy Wife.

Ford, Why, Sir, my Wife is not young. |

Pift. He woos both high and low, both rich and poor,
both young and old, one with another; Ford, he loves
thy Gally maufry, Ford, perpend.

Ford, Love my Wiſe ?

Pi. With Liver burning hot: Prevent
Or go thou, like Sir Aden, he, with
Ring-wood at thy Heels: O, odious is thy Name.

Ford. What Name, Sir?

Pit. The Horn, I fay: Farewell.

Take heed, have open Eye; for Thieves do foct by night.
Take heed ere Summer comes, or Cuckoo Birds affright.
| Away

20 The Merry Wives

Away, Sir Corporal Nym.
Believe it, Page, he ſpeaks Senſe. [Exit Piſtol,

Ford. I will be patient; I will find out this.

Nym. And this is true: I like not the Humour of lyirg,
he hath wrong'd me in ſome Humours: I ſhould have
born the humour'd Letter to her ; but I have a Sword, and
it ſhall bite upon my Neceflity. He loves your Wife :
there's the ſhort and the long. My Name is Corporal Ny ;
J ſpeak, and I avouch ; tis true: my Name is Mm, and
Falllaff loves your Wife, Adieu; I love not the Humour
of Bread and Cheeſe : Adieu. [Exit Nym,

Page. The Humour of it, quoth a? here's a Fellow
frights Humour out of his Wits.

Ford. I will ſeek out Falfaf.

Page I never heard ſuch a drawling, affecting Rogue,

Ford. If I do find it: Well.

Page. I will not believe ſuch a Cataian, tho' the Prieſt
© th' Town commended him for a true Man.

Ford. *T'was a good ſenſible Fellow: Well.

Mrs. Page. and Mrs. Ford come forwards

Page. How now, Meg.

Mrs. Page. Whither go you, Gezrge / hark you.

Mrs. Ford. How now, ſweet Frank, what art thou me-
lancholy ? |

Ford. I melancholy! I am not melancholy.

Get you home, go. |

Mrs. Feed. Faith, thou haſt ſome Crotchets in thy Head.
Now will you go, Miſtreſs Page ?

Mrs. Page. Have with you. You'll come to Dinner,
George * Look who comes yonder ; ſhe ſhall be our Meſ-
ſenger to this paltry Knight. |

| Enter Miſtreſs Quickly.

Mrs. Ford. Truſt me, I thought en her, ſhe'll fit it.

Mrs. Page. You are come to ſee my Daughter Anne?

Quic. Ay, forſcoth; and I pray how does good Mit-
treſs Anne; |

Mrs. Page. Go in with us and ſee ; we have an Hour's
Talk with you. [ Ex. Mis. Page, Mrs. Ford, and Mrs.Quic.

Page. How now, Maſter Ford ? |

Ford. You heard what this Knave told me, did you not ?

Page. Yes; and you heard what the other told me ?
Ford. Do you think there is truth in them?
Nr P age.

of WINDSOR. 21

Page. Hang 'em Slaves, I do not think the Knight
would offer it ; but theſe that accuſe him in this Intent
towards our Wives, are a Yoke of his diſcarded Men, ve-
ry Rogues now they be out of Service. Op hs

Ford. Were they his Men?

Page. Marry were they. | |

Ford. I like it never the better for that.

Does he lie at the Garter ?

Page. Ay, marry does he. If he would intend his
Voyage towards my Wife, I would turn her looſe to him;
and what he gets more of her than ſharp Words, let it
lie on my Head.

Ford. I do not miſdoubt my Wife,. but I would be loth
to turn them together; a Man may be too confident: I
would have nothing lie on my Head ; I cannot be thus
ſatisfy'd.

Page. Look where my ranting Hoſt of the Garter
comes; there is either Liquor in his Pate, or Money in
his purſe, when he looks ſo merrily. How now, mine
Holt ? | 0 |

Enter Hoſt and Shallow.

Haft. How now, Bully Roc? Thou'rt a Gentleman,
Cavaliero- Juſtice, I ſay. x

$hal. I follow, mine Hoſt, I follow Good Even, and
twenty, good Maſter Page, Maſter Page, will you go
with us? we have Sport in hand.

Het. Tell him, Cavaliero-Juſtice ; tell him, Bully

Roch? .

Sha. Sir, there is a Fray to be fought between Sir
Hugh, the Welfe Prieſt, and Caius, the French Doctor.

Ford. Good mine Holt o'th Garter, a Word with you.

Het. What ſay'ſt thou, Bully Rock ?

Shal. Will you go with us to behold it? My merry
Hoſt hath had the meaſuring of their Weapons, and, I
think, hath appointed them contrary Places ; for, believe
me, I hear the Parſon is no Jeſter. Hark, I will tell you
what our Sport ſhall be,

Hit. Haſt thou ro Suit againſt my Knight, my
Gueſt Cavelier!

Ford. None, I proteſt; but I'll give you a Pottle of
burnt Sack to give me Recourſe to him, and tell him my
Name is Bro ; only for a Jeſt.

Hoſt,

— — c cw
- _ N 2 . =”

22 The Merry Wives ay

He, My Hand, Bully; thou ſhalt have Egreſs and
Regreſs ; ſaid I well? and thy Name ſhall be Brock. It
is a merry Knight. Will you go an heirs ?

Sal. Have with you, mine Hoft.

Page. I have heard the Frenchman had good Skill in
his Rapier. |

Shal. Tut, Sir, I could have told you more ; in theſe
times you ſtand on Diſtance, your Paſſes, Stoccado's, and
I-know not what? Tis the Heart, Matter Page; tis here,
'tis here. I have ſeen the time, with my long Sword, 1
would have made you four tall Fellows skip like Rats.

Hoſt. Here, Boys, here, here; Shall we wag ?

Page. Have with you'; I had rather hear them ſcold
than fight. [Exeunt Hoſt, Shallow and Page.

Ford. Tho' Page be a ſecure Fool, and ſtand ſo firmly
on his Wife's Frailty, yet I cannot put off my Opinion 10
eaſily. She was in his Company at Page's Houſe, and
what they made there I know not. Well, I will look
further into't ; and I have a Diſguiſe to ſound Faſtaf :

If I find her honeſt, I loſe not my Labour; if ſhe be
otherwiſe, tis Labour well beſtowed. [Exit.
SCENE II.

Enter Falſtaff and Piſtol.

Fal. I will not lend thee a Penny.

Pit. Why then the World's mine Oyſter, which I
with Sword will open. —I will retort the Sum in Equipage.

Fal. Not a Penny. I have been content, Sir, you ſhould
lay my Countenance to pawn; I have grated upon my
good Friends for three Reprieves for you, and your Coach-
fellow, Vm; or elſe you had look'd through the Grate ;
like a Geminy of Baboons. I am damn'd in Hell for
| ſwearing to Gentlemen, my Friends, you were good
Soldiers, and tall Fellows. And when Miſtreſs Bridget
loſt the Handle of her Fan, I took't upon mine Honour
thou hadſt it not. |

Pit, Didſt thou not ſhare? Hadſt thou not fifteen
Pence ?

Fal. Reaſon, you Rogue, Reaſon : Think'ſt thou III
endanger my Soul gratis At a Word; hang no more a-
bout me, I am no Gibbet for you: Go, a fhort Knife,
and a Throng, to your Mannor of Pictt-hatcht; go, you'll
3 not

4

of WINDSOR. 23

not bear a Letter for me, you Rogue ; you ſtand upon
your Honour? Why, thou unconfinable Baſeneſs, it is as
much as I can do to keep the Term of my Honour pre-
ciſe. I, I, I my ſelf ſometimes, leaving the Fear of Hea-
ven on the left Hand, and hiding mine Honour in my
Neceſſity, am fain to ſhuffle, to hedge, and to lurch,
an yet you Rogue will enſconſe your Rags, your Cat-
a· mountain Looks, your red Lettice Phraſes, and your
bold-beating Oaths, under the Shelter of your Honour !
You will not do it, you !

Pit. I do relent; what wouldſt thou more of Man?

Enter Robin. |
Rob. Sir, here's a Woman would ſpeak with you,
Fal. Let her approach.
| Enter Miſtreſs Quickly.

Quic. Give your Worſhip Good-morrow.

Fal. Good morrow, good Wife.

Quick Not ſo, and't pleaſe your Worſhip,

Fal. Good Maid then.

Quict. I'll be ſworn,

As my Mother was the firſt Hour I was born.

Fal. I do believe the Swearer : What with me?

Quic. Shall I vouchſafe your Worſhip a Word or two?

Fal. Two thouſand, fair Woman, and Þ'll vouchfafe
thee the hearing.

Puic. There is one Miſtreſs Ford, Sir: I pray come a
little nearer this ways: I my ſelf, dwell with Mr. Doctor
Caius, | a

Fal Well on, Mrs. Ford, you ſay.

2uic. Your Worſhip ſays very true: I pray your Wor-
ſhip come a little nearer this ways.

Fal. I warrant thee no body hears: Mine own People,
mine own People. _—
Quic, Are they ſo? Heav'n bleſs them, and make
them his Servants. |

Fal. Well: Mrs Ford, what of her?

Duic, Why, Sir, ſhe's a good Creature, Lord, Lord,
your Worſhip's a wanton; well, Heav'n forgive you,
and all of us, I pray | |

Fal. Miſtreſs Ford, come, Miſtreſs Ford —-

Juic. Marry this is the ſhort and the long of it; you
have brought her into ſuch a Canaries, as 'tis wonderful :

20 | W

24 De Merry Wives

The beſt Courtier of them all, when the Court lay at Vind.
for could never have brought her to ſuch a Canary. Yet
there has been Knights and Lords, and Gentlemen, with
their Coaches; I warrant you, Coach after Coach, Let-
ter after Letter, Gift after Gift, ſmelling ſo ſweetly ; all
Musk ? and fo ruſling, I warrant you, in Silk and Gold ;
and in ſuch alligant Terms, and in ſuch Wine and Sugar
of the beſt, and the faireſt, that would have won any Wo-
man's Heart; and, I warrant you, they could never get an
Eyewink of her, I had my ſelf twenty Angels given me this
Morning; but I defy all Angels, in any ſuch ſort as
they ſay, but in the way of Honeſty ; and, I warrant
you, they could never get her ſo much as ſip in a Cup
with the proudeſt of them all; and yet there has been
Earls, nay, which is more, Penſioners, but, I warrant
you, all is one with her,

Fal. But what ſays ſhe to me? be brief, my good ſhe-
Mercury?

Quic. Marry, ſhe hath received your Letter, for the
-which ſhe thanks you a thouſand times ; and ſhe gives
you to notify, that her Husband will be abſence from his
Houſe between ten and eleven.

Fal. Ten and eleven.

uic. Ay, forſooth ; and then you may come and fee
the Picture, ſhe ſays, that you wot of: Maſter Ford, her
Husband, will be from home. Alas ! the ſweet Woman
leads an ill Life with him, he's a very jealouſie Man; ſhe
leads a very frampold Life with him, good Heart.

Fal. Ten and eleven; Woman, commend me to her ;
I will not fail her. |

Quic. Why, you ſay well: But I have another Meſſen-
ger to your Worſhip ; Miſtreſs Page has her kearty Com-
mendations to you too; and let me tell you in your Ear,
ſhe's as fartudus a civil modeſt Wife, and one (I tell you)
that will not miſs your Morning and Evening Prayer, as
any is in Windſor, whoe'r be the other; and ſhe bad me
tell your Worſhip that her Husband is ſeldom from home,
but ſhe hopes there will come a time. I never knew a
Woman ſo doat upon a Man; ſurely, I think, you have,
Charms, la; yes, in Truth.

Fal. Not I, I aſſure thee; ſetting the Attraction of my
good Parts aſide, I have no other Charms.

I Duic,

of WinDsSOR. 25

Quic. Bleſſing on your Heart for't.

Fal. But, I pray thee, tell me this ; has Ford's Wife and
Page's Wiſe acquainted each other how they love me ?

Quick. That were a Jeſt, indeed; they have not ſo little
Grace, I hope; that were a Trick indeed! But Miſtreſs
Page would deſire you to ſend her your little Page, of

all Loves: Her Huſband has a marvellous Infection to the
little Page; and truly Maſter Page is a very honeſt Man.
Never a Wife in Vindſor leads a better Life than ſhe does;
do what ſhe will, ſay what ſhe will, take all, pay all, go
to Bed when ſhe lift, riſe when ſhe liſt, all is as ſhe will;
and truly ſhe deſerves it, for if there be a kind Woman
in Windſor, traly ſhe is one. You muſt ſend her your
Page; no Remedy. |

Fal. Why, I will.

Quick. Nay,but do ſo then; and, look you, he may come
and go between you both; and in any caſe, have a Nay-
word, that you may know one anothers Mind, and the Boy
never need to underſtand any thing; for tis not good that
Children ſhould know any Wickedneſs : Old Folks, you
know, have Diſcretion, as they ſay, and know the World.

Fal. Fare thee well; commend me to them both : There's
my Purſe, I am thy Debtor. Boy, go along with this
Woman. This News diſtracts me. [ Ex. Quick. and Robin,

. Pi. This Punk is one of Capid's Carriers:
Clap on more Sails, purſue ; up with your Fights ;
Give Fire, ſhe is my Prize, or Ocean whelm them all.
[Exit Piſtol,

Fal. Say'ſt thou fo, old Jack? go thy wars; I'll make
more of thy old Body than I have done ; will they yet
look after thee ? Wilt thou, after the Expence of ſo much
Money, be now a Gainer? Good body, I thank thee ; let
them. ſay, tis groſly done, fo it be fairly done, no matter.

Enter Bardolph.

Bard. Sir John, there's one Maſter Bros below would
fain ſpeak with you, and be acquainted with you; and
hath ſent your Worſhip a Morning's Draught of Sack.

Fal. Brook is his Name?

Bard. Ay, Sir.

Fal. Call him in; ſuch Broaks are welcome to me, that
o'erflow with ſuch Liquor. Ah ! ah! Miſtreſs Ford, and
Miſtreſs Page, have I encompaſs'd you? Go to, vi.

B

Euler

— 2 —

326 The Merry Wives

Enter Ford 4 tYguts'd,
Ford. Bleſs you, Sir.
Fal. And you, Sir; would you ſpeak with me?

Tord. | make bold to preſs with ſo little Preparation

upon You. [Exit.Bardolph.

Fal. You're welcome; what's your Will? Give us
leave, Drawer.

Ferd. Sir, | am a Gentleman that have ſpent much;
my name is Brook,

Fal. Good Maſter Brosk, I deſire more Acquaintance of

ou.

Ford. Good Sir John, I ſue ſor yours; not to charge
vou; for I muſt let you underſtand, I think my ſelf in
better Plight for a Lender than you are, the which hath
ſomething emyolden'd me to this unſeaſon d Intruſion ;
for they ſay, if Money go before, all Ways do lie open.

Fal. Money 1s a good Soldier, Sir, and will on.

. Ferd. Troth, and I have a Bag of Money here troubles
me; if you will help me to bear it, Sir Jobn, take all, or
half, for eaſing me of the Carriage.

Fal. Sir, I know not how I may deſerve to be your
Porter.

Ford. I will tell you, Sir, if you will give methe hearing.

Fal. Speak, good Mr. Brook, I ſhall be glad to be
your Servant,

Ford Sir, I hear you area Scholar, I will be brief with
you, and you have been a Man long known to me, tho'
I had never ſo good means as deſire to make my ſelf
acquainted with you: I ſhall diſcover a thing to you,
wherein I muſt very much lay open mine own lmperlec-
tions; but, good Sir Fo: n, as you have one Eye upon my
Follies, as you hear them unfolded, turn another into
the Regiſter of your own, that I may paſs witha Reproof

the eaſier, ſith you your telf know how ealy it is to be
ſuch an Offender.

Fal. Very well: Sir, proceed.

Ferd. There is a Genileweman in this Town, her Huſ—
band's Name is Ford.

Fial. Well, Sir.

Ferd. I have long lov'd her, and, I proteſt to you, be-

ſtowed much on her, ſo! Jow'd her with a doting Obſer-

Vance,” ingroſs'd n to meet her, ſee'd every
| flight

8 1 1 r

n

45

of WINDSOR. 27

flight Occaſion that could but niggardly give me fight of

her; not only bought many Preſents to give her, but have
given largely to many, to know what ſhe would have given:
Briefly, I have purſu'd her, as Love hath purſu'd me,
which hath been on the Wing of all Occaſions. But what-
ſoever I have merited, either in my mind, or in my
means, meed I am ſure I have received none, unleſs Ex-
perience be a Jewel, that I have purchas'd at an infinite
rate, and that hath taught me to ſay this ;

ode lide a Shadow flies, ab hen Subſtance Love purſues;
% Purſuing that that flies, and flying what purſucs.

Fal. Have you receiv'd no Promiſe of Satisfafion at
her hands?

Ford. Never.

Fal. Have you importun'd her to ſuch a Purpoſe ?

Ford. Never.

Fal. Of what Quality was your Love then?

Ford. Like a fair Houſe built on another Man's Ground,
ſo that I have loſt my Edifice, by miſtaking the Place
where I erected it.

Fal. To what purpoſe have you unſolded this to me?

Ford. When I have told that, I have told you all :
Some ſay, that tho' ſhe appear honeſt to me, yet in other
Places ſhe enlargeth her Mirth ſo far, that there is ſhrewd
Conſtruction made of her. Now, Sir Fohn, here is the
Heart of my Purpoſe: You are a Gentleman of excellent
Breeding, admirable Diſcourſe, of great Admittance, au-
thentick in your Place and Perſon, generally allow'd for
your many War-like, Court-like, and learned Preparations.

Fal. O Sir!

Ford. Believe it, for you know it; there is Money, ſpend
it, ſpend it; ſpend more, ſpend all I have, oniy give me
ſo much of your Time in exchange of it, as to lay an
amiable Siege to the Honeſty of this Ford's Wife; ute
your Art of Wooing, win her to conſent to you; it any
Man may, you may, as ſoon as any.

Fal. Would it apply weil to tie Vehemence of your
Affection, that I ſhould win what you would enjoy? Me-
thinks you preſcribe to your ſelf very prepotterou!y,

Ford. O, underitind my drift ; ſhe dwells io ſecurely on
the Excellency of her Honour, that che Folly of my Soul
B 2 . Capes

CO —

_— The Merry Wives

_ dares not preſent it ſelf; ſhe is too bright to be look'd
againſt, Now could I come to her with any Detection
in my Hand, my Deſires had Inſtance and Argument to
_ commend themſelves ; I could drive her then from the
Wardof her Purity, herReputation, her Marriage-Vow,and
| a thouſand other her Defences, which now are too ſtrongly
embattail'd againſt me. What ſay you to't, Sir Jobn.

Fal. Maſter Brook, T will firſt make bold with your
Money; next give me your Hand; and laſt, as I am a
Gentleman, you ſhall, if you will, enjoy Ford's Wife.

Ford. O good Sir! |

Fal. I ſay you ſhall, ;

Ford. Want no Money, Sir John, you ſhall want none.

Fal. Want no Miſtreſs Ford, Maſter Brook, you ſhall
want none ; I ſhall be with he?, I may tell you, by her own
Appointment. Even as you came in to me, her Aſſiſtant,
or Go-between parted from me; I fay, I ſhall be with
her between ten and eleven ; for at that time the jealous
raſcally Knave, her Huſband, will be forth; come you
to me at Night, you ſhall know how I ſpeed.

Ford. I am bleſt in your Acquaintance : Do you know
Ford, Sir ? |

Fal. Hang him, poor cuckoldly Knave, I know him
not: Yet I wrong him to call him poor; they ſay the
jealous wittolly Knave hath maſſes of Money,for the which
his Wife ſeems to me well favour'd. I will uſe her as
the Key of the Cuckoldly Rogue's Coffer, and there's my
Harveit home. .

Ford. I would you knew Ford, Sir, that you might
avoid him if you ſaw lim.

Ford. Hang him, mechanical falt-butter Rogue ; I will
ſtare him out of his wits ; I will awe him with my Cud-
gel; it ſhall hang like a Meteor o'er the Cuckold's Horn's:
Maſter Brook, thou ſhalt know I will predominate over
the Peaſant, and thou ſhalt lie with his Wife : Come to me
ſoon at Night; Ford's a Knave, and I'll aggravate his
Stile: Thou, Maſter Brook, ſhalt know him tor a Knave
and Cuckold : come to me ſoon at Night. [Exit.

Ford. What a damn'd Epicurean Raſcal is this! My
Heart 1s ready to crack with impatience. Who fays this
is improvident Jealouſy ? My Wife hath ſent to him, the
Hour is fixt, the Match is made? Would any Man have

| thought

-

of W1NDSOR, 29

thought this ? See the Hell of having a falſe Woman ? my
Bed ſhall be abus'd, my Coffers ranſacked, my Reputation
gnawn at, and I ſhall not only receive this villanous
Wrong, but ſtand under the adoption of abominable Terms,
and by him that does me the wrong. Terms, Names;
Amaimon ſounds well, Lucifer well; Barbaſon well, yet
they are Devil's additions, the Names of Fiends ; but
- Cuckold, Wittol, Cuckold ! the Devil himſelf hath not
ſuch a Name. Page is an Aſs, a ſecure aſs, he will truſt his
Wife; he will not be jealous ; I will rather truſt a Fleming
with my Butter; Parſon Hugh, the Welhman, with my
Cheeſe; an Jiſbman with my Aquavita Bottle; or a
Thief to walk my ambling Gelding; than. my Wife with
| her ſelf: Then ſhe plots, then ſhe ruminates, then ſhe

deviſes; and what they think in their Hearts they may

effect, they will break their Hearts but they will effect.

leav'n be-prais'd for my Jealouſy. Eleven o'clock the
Hour; I will prevent this, detect my Wife, be reveng'd
on Fal, and laugh at Page: I will about it; better
three Hours too ſoon, than a Minute too late. Fy, fy,
ty; Cuckold, Cuckold, Cuckold. LExit.

Enter Caius and Rugby.

Coins. Fack Rugby.
Rug. Sir,
Caius. Vat is de Clock, Fack. WS”
Rug. Tis paſt the Hour, Sir, that Sir Hugh promis'd to
meet.

Caius. By gar, he has fave his Soul, dat he is no come 3

he has pray his Pible well, dat he is no come, By gar,

Fack Rugby, he is dead already, if he be come.

Rug. He is wiſe, Sir; he knew your Worſhip would
Kill him if he came.

Caius. By gar, de Herring is not ſo dead as me vill make
him: take your Rapier, Jack, I vill tell you how 1 vill
kill him.

Rug. Alas, Sir, I cannot fence.
Caius. Villany ; take your Rapier.
Rug. Forbear ; here's Company.
Enter Hoſt, Shallow, Slender and Page.
Heft. Bleſs thee, Bully-Doctor. |
B 3 Shal.

30 The Merry Wives

Shal. Save you, Mr. Doctor Caius.
Page Now, good Mr. Doctor.
Slen. Give you Good-morrow, Sir.
Caius. Vat be all you, one, two, tree, four, come for?
Fit. To ſee thee fight, to ſee thee foigne, to ſee thee
traverſe, to fee thee here, to ſee thee there, to ſee thee
paſs thy PurQo, thy Steck, thy Reverſe, thy Diſtance,
thy Montant. Is he dead, my Ethiopian? Is he dead,
my Frazciſco ? Ha, Bully! What fays my Z/culapius ?
My Galen? My Heart of Elder? Ha? is he dead, Bully-
ſtale? is he dead:
Cains. By gar, he is de Coward Fack Prieſt of de
World; he is not ſhow his Face. |
H. Thou art a Caflalien King Urinal : Hedor of
Ce, my Boy.
Caius, I pray you bear Witneſs, that me have ſtay ſix
or ſeven, two, tree Hours for him, and he is no come.
Shal. He is the wiſer Man, ſr. Dector; he is a Curer
of Souls, and you area Carer of Bodies : If you ſhould
ght, you go againſt the Hair of your Profeſſions : Is it
not true, Maſter Page ?
Page. Maſter Hallbau, you have your ſeif been a great
Fighter, tho' new a Man of Peace.
Sal. Body-kine, Mr. Page, tho' I now be old, and of
Peace, if 1 ice a Sword out, my Finger itches to make
one; tho' we are Jultices and Doctors, and Church-men,
kir. Page, we have ſome Salt of our Youth in us; we are
the Sons of Women, Mr. Page.
Page. Tis true, Mr. Hallaæv.
Sal. It will be {ound ſo, Mr. Page, Mr. Dr. Caius,
I am come to fetch you home; I am {worn of the Peace;
you have ſhew'd your ſelf a wie Phyſician, and Sir Hugh
hath ſhewn himielf a wiſe and patient Church-man : You
muſt go with me, Mr. Doctor.
Hojt. Pardon, Guelſc-Juſtice ; a word, Monheur Mock-
Watcr, |
Caius. Mock-vater ? Vat is dat?
Has. Mock-water, in our Eng// Tongue, is Valour,
Bolly.
Caius. By gar, then I have as much Mock: vater as de
Englihman, Scurvy Jack-dog-Prieſt; by gar me will cut
his Ears. g
Hoft. He will clapper-claw thee rightly, Bully. Carus.

of WIN PDSOR. 31

Caiut. Clapper-de-claw? Vat is dat?

Hoſt. That is, he will make thee aments,

Caius. By gar, me do look he ſhall clapper-Ce-claw

me; for by gar, me vill have it.

Hoſt. And Iwill provoke him to't, or let him wag. *

2 Me tank you for dat.

Ht. And moreover, Bully; but firſt, Mr. Gueſt, and
Mr. Page, and eke Cavalerio Slender, go you through
the Town to Frogmore.

Page. Sir Hugh 1s there, 1s he ?

Hoſt. He is there ; ſee what Humour he is in; and I

will bring the Doctor about the Fields: Will it do dwell?

Shal. We will do it. |

All. Adieu, good Mr. Doctor. [Ex. Page. Shal. ana Slen.

Caius. By gar, me vill kill de Prieſt; for he ſpeak for

a ſack- an Ape to Anne Page.

Hit. Let him die; but firſt ſheath thy Impatience ; throw
cold Water on thy Choler; go about the Fields with
me through PFrogmore; I will bring thee where Miſtreſs
Anne Page i is, at a Farm-houſe a ſealting, and thou ſhalt
woo her; Try'd-game, faid I well?

Caius. By gar, me tank you vor dat! By gar, I love
vou; and 1 wil! procure 'a you de good Gueſt; de Earl,
de Knight, de Lords, de Gentlemen, my Patients.
Hat. For the which I will, be thy Adverſary toward
Arne Page : Said I Well!
Caius. By gar, *tis good; vell ſaid.
Hat. Let us wag then.
Come at my Heels, Jack Rugby. [Excunt,

— „

——

ACT II. SCENE I.

Enter Evans and Simple

Eva. I Pray you now, good Maſter &/:z4cr's Serving -

man, and Friend Size by your Name, which

J have you look'd for Matter Caius, that calls him-
t Da dor of. Ph; ich?

85 im, Marry Sir, the Pi -Wary, the P Park-ward, eve-

ry way, old H#indjor way, and every way but the Town

way.

B + Exa.

32 The Merry Wives |

Ewa. I moſt fehemently deſire you, you will alſo look
that way. |

Sim. I will, Sir.

Ewa. Pleſs my Soul, how full of Chollars I am, and
trempling of Mind! I ſhall be glad if he have deceiv'd
me; how melanchollies I am! I will knog his Urinals
about his Knave's Coſtard, when I have good Opportunities
for the Orke ; Pleſs my Soul: By alla Rivers, t
whoſe falls melodious Birds fing Madrigals ; There will
ewe make our Peds with Roſes, and a thouſand fragrant
Poſes By ſhallow Mercy on me, I have a great Diſpo-
fition to cry, Melodius Birds fins Madrigals N hen as T ſat
in pabilon ; and a thouſand wagrant poſies. By ſhallow, &c.
Sim. Yonder he is coming, this way, Sir Hugh,

Eva. He's welcome. By ſhallow Rivers, to whoſe Fall;--
Heaven proſper the Right : What Weapons is he ?

Sim. No weapons, Sir; there comes my Maſter, Mr,
Shallow, and another Gentleman from Frogmore, over
the Stile, this way.

Ewa. Pray you, give me my Gown, or elſe keep it in
your Arms. |

Enter Page, Shallow, and Slender,

$hal. How now, Maſter Parſon ? Good morrow, good
Sir Hugh. Keep a Gameſter from the Dice, and a good
Student from his Book, and it is wonderful.

Slen Ah, ſweet Anne Page!

Page. Save you, good Sir Hugh. _

Ewa. *Pleſs you from his Mercy ſake, all of you.

Shal. What? the Sword and the Word?

Do you ſtudy them both, Mr. Parſon ?

Page. And youthful ſtill, in your Doublet and Hoſe,
this raw rheumatick Day ? |

Ewa. There is Reaſons and Cauſes for it.

Page. We are come to you to do a good Office, Mr.
Parſon.

Ewa. Ferry well : What is it ?

Page. Yonder is a moſt reverend Gentleman, who, be-
like, havipg receiv'd Wrong by ſome Perſon, is at moſt
odds with his own Gravity and Patience, that ever you
au.” 2;

Shal. J have liv'd fourſcore Vears and upwards ; I ne-
ver heard a Man of his Place, Gravity, and Lerning, ſo
wide of his own Reſpect. Ewa,

of WrI DS OR. 33

Eva. What is he? | .
Page. I think you know him, Mr. Doctor Caius, the
renowned French Phyſician. :

nd Eva. Got's Will, and his Paſſion of my Heart! I had
"4 as lief you ſhould tell me of a meſs of Porridge.

als Page. Why ? ;
es Eva. He has no more Knowledge in Hibocra tes and
75 Galen; and he is a Knave beſides, a cowardly Knave as
ill you would deſire to be acquainted withal. 5
ut Page. I warrantyou, he's the man ſhould fight with him.
o- Slen. O ſweet Anne Page!

at Enter Hoſt, Caius and Rugby.

I Shal. It appears ſo by his Weapons: Keep them aſun-

der; here comes Doctor Caius,

Page. Nay, good Mr. Parſon, keep in your Weapon.

Sal. So do you, good Mr. Doctor. |
To Hoſt. Diſarm them, and let them queſtion : let them
r ' keep their Limbs whole, and hack our ElIißb.

Caius. I pray you, let a me ſpeak a Word with your
n Ear: Wherefore will you not meet a me ?

Eva. Pray you, uſe your Patience in good time.

Caius. By gar, you 'are de Coward, de Fack Dog,
1 Job Ape.
| | Ewa. Pray you, let us not be Laughing-ſtocks to other
Mens Humours ; I defire you in Friendſhip, and will one
way or other make you amends ; I will knog your Uri-
nal about your Knave's Cogs-Comb, for miſſing your
meetings and Appointments.

Caius. Diable Fack Rigby. Mine Hoſt de Farter.
Have I not ſtay for him, to kill him ? have I not at de
Place I did appoint ?

Ewa. As I am a Chriſtian Soul, now look yeu, this is
the Place appointed; I'll be judgment by mane. Hoſt of
the Garter,

Hoſt. Peace, I ſay ; Gallia and Gaul, French and Nel,
Soul-curer and Body-curer. X
Caius. Ay, dat is very good, excellent.

Hzf?. Peace, I fay ; hear mine Hoſt of the Garter.
Am I Politick ? am I Subtle? am I a Machiave/?

Shall I loſe my Doctor? No; he gives me the Potions
and the Motions. Shall I loſe my Parſon ? my Prieſt ?

my Sir Hugh? No; he gives me the Proverbs, and the
" "WS No-veibs-

i

4 hh

134 The Merry Wives
No- verbs. Give me thy Hand, Tereſtrial, ſo give me
thy hand Celeſtial; ſo, Boys of Art, I have deceiv'd vou
both, I have directed you to wrong Places; your Hearts
are mighty, your Skins are whole, ard let burn'd Sack be
the Iſlue. Come, lay their Swords to pawn, Follow me,
Lad of Peace, follow, follow, follow

Shal. Truſt me, 2 mad Hoſt, follow, Gentlemen, follow.

Slex O ſweet Arne Page || Ex. Shal. Slen. Pag. ard Hoſt.

Caius, Ha! do I perceive dat? Have you make a-Ce-
ſot of us, ha, ha?

Ewa. This i is well, he has 5008 us his Vlouting-ſtog: I
deſire you that we may be Friends; and let us knog our
Prains together, to be revenge on this ſame ſcall'd Scurvy
cogging Companion, the Hoſt of the Garter.

Caine, By gar, with all my Heart ; he promiſe to bring
me where is Aune Page; by gar, he deceive me too.

Eva. Well, I will! imite his Noddles ; pray you follow.

[Excunt
SCENE II.

Enter Miſtreſs Page end Robin.
Mrs. Page. Nay, keep your way, little Gallant ; you

were wont to be a follower, but now yau are a Leader,
Whether had you rather lead mine Eyes, or eye your
Maſter's Heels ?

Ros. I had rather, Forſooth, go before you like a Man,
tha n follow him like a Dwarf.

Mrs. Page. O you are a flattering Boy; now you l be a
Courtier.

Kul Ford.

Ford. Woll met, Mittreis Page; whither go you?

Mrs. Page. Truly, Sir, to ſee your Wife; is ſhe at home?

Ford, Ay, and as idle as the may hang together for
want c! f Compa my; I think, if your Husbands were dead,
yeu two would marry,

Mrs. Page. Be ſure of that, two other Husbands.

25 — Where had you this pretty Weather- cock?

g. Page, I cannot tell what the dickens his Name is
wy H usband had him of: What do you call your Knight's
Name, Sirrah ?

Feb. Sir Jobn Falſta f.
Ford, Sir an Fate ? |
Mrs, Page,

2j AS -

of W 1NDSOR. 35

Mrs. Page. He, he; I can never hit his Name; there

is ſech a League between my good Man and he; is your

ood Wife at home, indeed:
Ford. Indeed, ſhe is.
Mrs. Page, By your leave, Sir; I am ſick till I fee her.
Fc unt Mrs Page and Robin.
Ford. Has Page any Brains? hath he any » yes ? hath he
any T binking ? jure they ſleep ; he hath no "ule of them.
W hy this Boy will carry a Letter twenty Mile as eaſy as
a Cannon Wil, | ſhoot point- blank twelve ſeore? he pieces
out his Wite's Inclination, he gives her Folly motion and
advantage, and now ſhe's going to my Wiſe, and Fa/af”s
Boy with her. A man may hear this Shower ling in is |
Wind; and Fa/af”s Boy with her; good Plots, they are
: id, and our revolted Wives ſhare Damnation together.
\ Well, I will take him, then torture my Wile, pluck the
berrowed Veil of modeſty from the fo ſeeming Miſtreis
Page, divulge Page himielf for a ſecure and w. fu | teen,
and to theſe violent Proceedings all my Neighbours ſhall
cry aim. The Clock gives me my Cue, and my Aſſurance
bids me ſearch; there ſhall I find Falftaf I ſhall be rather
praiſed for this, than mocked ; for it is as poſitive as the
Earth is firm, that Falſtaff is there: I will go.
Enter Page, Shallow, Slender, TN, = aus and Caius.
Shal. Page, Qc. Well met, Ar. Fo |
Ford. Tait me, a good Knot : 1 — good Cheer at
heme, and I pray you all go with me.
Shal. I muſt excuſe my ſelf, Mr. Ford.
Slen. And ſo muit I, Sir;
We have appointed to dine with Miſtreſs Hine,
And I would not brealt with her for more Money

Than T'il ſpeak of,

Shal. We have linger'd about a match between Hure
Page and my Coulin Slender, and this Day we ſaail have
our Aniwer.

Slen. J hope I ſhall have your good Will, Pa ther Page.”

Page. You have, Mr Stauder, 1 ſtand w aolly for you;
but my Wiſe, Maſter Doctor, is for you all- together.

Caius. Ay by gar, and de Maid is love a-me: my
Nufth-a-Puickly tell me fo muſh,

Hoſt. What ſay you to yeung Mr. Fenton? ke cape ers,
he dances, he has Eyes cf Ycuch, he writes Verſes, he

peaks

TO "he Merry Wives

{peaks Holy-Days, he ſmells April and May, he will car.
Ty't, he will carry't, 'tis in its Buttons, he will carry't.

Page. Not by my Conſent, I promiſe you: The Gen-
tleman 1s of no having, he kept Company with the wild
Prince and Poznz ; he is of too high a Region, he knows
too much ; no, he ſhall not knit a Knot in his Fortunes
with the Finger of my Subſtance. If he take her, let him
take her ſimply: The Wealth I have, waits on my Con-
ſent, and my Conſent goes not that way.

Ford. I beſeech you heartily, ſome of you go home
with me to Dinner; beſides your Cheer you ſhall have
Sport; and I will ſhew you a Monſter. Mr. Doctor you
ſhall go; ſo ſhall you, Mr. Page, and you Sir Hugh.

Sal. Well, fare you well;

We ſhall have the freer Wooing at Mr. Page's.

Caius. Go home, Fohn Rugby, I come anon.

Heft. Farewel, my Heart; I will to my honeſt Knight
Faltaff, and drink Canary with him.

Ford. I think I ſhall drink in Pipe Wine firſt with
him: I'll make him dance. Will you go, Gentles ?

All. Have with you to ſee this Montter. f Exeunt,

SCENE III.

Enter Miſes Ford, Miftre/s Page, and Servants with a
Baſeet.

Mrs. Ford. What John! what Robert! |

Mrs. Page. Quickly, quickly : Is the Buck-basket —

Mrs. Ferd. I warrant. What, Robin, I ſay.

Mrs. Page. Come, come, come.
Mrs, Ford. Here, ſet it down.

Mrs. Page. Give your Men the Charge, we muſt be brief.

Mrs. Ford. Marry, as I told you before, Fohn gnd Ro-
bert, be ready here hard by in the Brewhouſe, and when
I ſuddenly call you, come forth, and, without any, pauſe
or ſtaggering, take this Basket on your Shoulders ; that
done, trudge with it in all haſte, and carry it among the
W hitters in Datchet-mead, and there empty it in the
muddy Ditch, cloſe by the Thames fide.

Mrs. Page. You will do it? Direction.

Mrs. Ford. I ha' told them over and over; they lack no
Be gone, and come when you are call'd.

Mrs. Page. Here comes little Robin, Enter

”

of WIX DSO R. 37

Enter Robin.
Mrs. Ford. How now, my Eyes-Muſket, what News
with you ?

Rob. My Maſter, Sir Fohn, is come in at your Back-
door, Miſtreſs Ford, and requeſts your Company.

Mrs. Page. You little Jack-a-lent, have you been true
to us?

Rob. Ay, I'll be ſworn ; my Maſter knows not of your
being here, and hath threatn'd-to put me into everlaſting
Liberty, if I tell you of it; for he ſwears he'll turn me
awa

Mrs. Page. Thou'rt a good Boy ; this Secrecy of thine
ſhall be a Taylor to thee, and ſhall make thee a new Dou-
blet and Hoſe. I'll go hide me.

Mrs. Ford, Do ſo; go tell thy Maſter, I am alone;

_ Miſtreſs Page, remember you your Cue. [Exit Rob.

Mrs. Page. I warrant thee ; if I do not act it, hiſs me.
[ Exit Mrs. Page.

Mrs. Ford, Go to them ; we'll uſe this unwholſome
Humidity, this groſs watry Pumpion, we'll teach him to
know Turtles from Jays.

Enter Falſtaff.

Fal. Have I caught thee, my heav'nly Jewel? Why,
now let me die; for I have liv'd long enough : This i is
the Period of my Ambition: O this bleſſed Hour!

Mrs. Ford. O ſweet Sir John!

Fal. Miſtreſs Ford, T cannot cog, I cannot prate, Miſ-
treſs Ford: Now ſhall I fin in my wiſh. I ſhould thy
Huſband were dead, I'll ſpeak it before the beſt Lord, I
would make thee my Lady.

Mrs. Ford. I your Lady, Sir Fobn ? Alas, I would be
a pitiful Lady.

Fal. Let the Court of France ſhew me fuch another: I
ſee how thine Eye would emulate the Diamond: Thou
haſt the right arched bent of the Brow, that becomes the
Ship-Tire, the Tire-Valiant, or any Venetian Attire.

Mrs. Ferd. A plain Kerchifte, Sir John:

My Brows become nothing elſe, nor that well neither.

Fal. Thou art a Tyrant to ſay ſo; thou wouldſt make
an abſolute Courtier, and the firm fixture of thy Foot
would give an excellent motion to thy Gait, in a ſemi-

cireled

38 The Merry Wives

circied Farthingal I ſee what thou wert. If Fortune thy
Foe were not, Nature is thy Friend ; Come, thou canſt u
not hide it. ;

Mrs. Ford. Believe me, there's no ſuch thing in me.

Fal. What made me love thee ? Let that perſuade thee. a
There's ſomething extraordinary in thee, Come, I can- *
not cog, and ſay, thou art this and that, like a many of c

theſe liiping Haw-thorn Buds, that come like Women in
Men's Apparel, and ſmell like Buc&/zrs-Bury in ſimpling- 0
time: I cannot; but I love thee, none but thee; and thou 8
deſerveſt it. V
Mrs. Ford. Do not betray me, Sir; I fear you love
Mittreſs Page. : C
Fal. Thou might'ſt as well ſay, I love to walk by the 1
Counter-Gate, which is as hateful to me as the reek of a (
Lime-kiln.

Mrs. Tard. Well, Heaven knows how I love you, and ;
you ſhall one Day find it,
Tal. Keep in that mind; I'll deſerve it. | |

could not be in that Mind.

Reb. [within] Miſtreſs Ford, Miſtreſs Ford, here's Mi-
ſtreis Page at the Door, ſweating and blowing, and look-
ing wildly, and mult needs {peak with you preſently.

Ful. She ſhall not ſee me; I will eniconce me behind
the Arras,

Mrs. Ford. Pray vou do fo ; ſhe's a very tatling Woman.

Enter Mrs Page.
What's the matter ? How now ?

Mrs. Page. O Rliſtreſs Ford, what have you done ?
You're ſham'd, you're overthrown, you're undone for ever,
Mrs. Ford, What's the matter, good Miitreſs Page?

Mrs. Page. O well a day, Mitltreſs Ford, having an
honeſt Man to your Huſband, to give him ſuch caule of
Suſpicion. |

Mrs. Ford. What cauie of Suſpicion? _

Mrs. Page. What cauſe of Suſpicion ! Out upon you 3
how am I miſtook in you ?

Mrs. Ford. Why alas! what's the matter?

Mrs. Page. Your Huſband's coming hither, Woman,
with all the Officers in Vinaſor, to ſearch for a Gentle-
man that he ſays is here now in the Heute by your Con-

| ſcut,

Mrs. Ford. Nay, I muſt tell you, ſo you do: Or elſe I |
|

of WINDSOR. 39

ſent, to take an ill Advantage of his Abſence, You are
undone.

Mrs. Ford. *Tis not fo, I hope.

Mrs. Page. Pray Heav'n it be not fo, that you have ſuch
a Man here ; but 'tis molt certain your Huſband's coming
with half Wind pr at his Heels, to ſearch for ſuch a one. I
come before to tell you, if you |:ncw yeur ſelf clear,
way I am glad of it; but if you have a Friend here,
convey, convey him out. Be not amaz'd, call all your
Sens to you, defend your Reputation, or bid farewel to
vour good Life for ever.

Mrs. Ford, What ſhall I do? there is a Gentleman, my
dear Friend; and I fear not mine own Shame ſo mucl as
his Peril. I had rather than a thouſand Pound he were
out of the Houſe.

Mrs. Page. For ſhame, never ſtand you had rather, a ud
you had rather; your Huſband's here at on bethink

„ou of ſome Conveyance; in the Houſe you cannot hide
81 Oh, how have you deceived me; Lads here is a
Baſket, if he be of any reaſonable Stature, he may creep
in here, and throw foul Linen upon him, as if it were
going to Bucking: Or it is whiting time, ſend kim by
your two Men to Datchct Mead.

Mrs. Ferd. He is too big to go - there: What ſhall I do!

Poenter Fal ſtaff.

ral. Let me ſee't, let me {ec't, O let me ſee't,

ii in, Fil in; follow your Friend's Counſel ; I'll in.

Mrs. Page. What, Sir John Fal are theſe your
Letters, Knight ?

Fal. I love thee, help me away ? let me creep in here:
1˙¹l never —-

[ 112 £ goes 17119 21 Ee Bates, Ley CIVEL 4 77: with foul Linen.

Mrs. Page. Help to cover your Matter, Boy; call your
Men, Mifireſ > Ford, You dite zbling Knight.

Mrs. Ferd. What 7 Jobn, Robert, Tab, 80 take up theſe
Cloaths here, quickly. Where's the Cowl-ſtaff ? Look
how you drumble : Carry them to the Landreſs at Datchet
Mead ; quickly, come.

Enter Ford, Page, Caius, and Evans.

Ford. Pray you come near ; if I 1uſpeRt without Cauſe,
why then make ſport at me, then let me be your Jeſt,
I deſerve it. How now ? whither bear you this ?

. | Ser,

40 The Merry Wives

Serv, To the Landreſs, forſooth.

Mrs. Ford. Why, what have you to do whither they
bear it? You were beſt meddle with Buck-waſhing,

Ford. Buck ? I would I could waſh my ſelf of the Buck :
Buck, Buck, Buck, ay, Buck : I warrant you, Buck, and
of the Seaſon too, it ſhall appear.

[ Exeunt Servants with the Backer.
Gentlemen, I have dreampt to Night, I'll tell you my
Dream Mere, here, here by my Eyes; aſcend my Cham-
bers, ſearch, ſeek, find out. I'll warrant we'll unkennel
the Fox. Let me ſtop this way firſt : So, now uncape.

Page. Good maſter Fard, be contented :

You wrong your ſelf too much.

Ford. True, maſter Page. Up, Gentlemen, you mall
ſee Sport anon; follow me, Gentlemen.

- Ewa. This is ferry fantaſtical Humours and Jealouſies.

Caius. By gar, tis no the Faſhion of France; it is not
jealous in France

Page. Nay, follow him, Gentlemen, ſee the Iſſue of
* Search. | Exeunt.

Manent Miſtreſs Page and Miſtreſs Ford.

Mrs. Page. Is there not a double Excellency in this ?

Mrs, Ford. I know not which pleaſes me better, that
my Huſband is deceiv'd, or Sir John.

Mrs. Page. What a taking was he in when your Huſ-
band ask'd who has in the Basket ?

Mrs. Ford. I am half afraid he will have need of waſh-
ing, ſo throwing him into the Water will do him a Benefit.

Mrs. Page. Hang him, diſhoneſt Raſcal ; I would all of
the ſame Strain were in the ſame Diſtreſs.

Mrs. Ford. I think my Huſband hath ſome ſpecial Suf.
picion of F alftaff”s being here ! I never ſaw him ſo groſs
in his Jealouſy till now.

Mrs. Page. I will lay a Plot to try that, and we will
yet have more Tricks with Fa/aff: His diſſolute Diſeaſe
will ſcarce obey this medicine

Mrs. Ford. Shall we ſend that fooliſh Carrion, Miſtreſs
Quickly, to him, and excule his throwing into the Water,
and give him another Hope, to betray him to another Pu-
niſhment ?

Mrs. Page. We'll do it; let him be ſent for to morrow
by eight o'Clock to have amends.

Re-en+

of WI DSO R. 41

Re-enter Ford, Page, Qc.

Ford. J cannot find hir? may be, th Knave bragg'd
of that he could not compaſs.

Mrs. Page. Heard you that ? |

Mrs. Ford. 1, I, Peace, you uſe me well, Maſter Fore,
do you ?

Ford. Ay, ay, I do ſo.

Mrs. Page.Heav'n make you better than your Thoughts.

Ford. Amen, |

Mrs. Page. You do your ſelf mighty Wrong, Mr. Ford.

Ford. Ay, ay ; I muſt bear it.

Ewa. It there be any pody in the Houſe, and in the
Chambers, and in the Coffers, and in the Preſſes, Heav'n
* my Sins, at the Day of Judgment.

aius. By gar, nor I too: There is no Bodies.

Page. Fy, fy, Mr. Ford, are you not aſham'd ? What
Spirit, what Devil ſuggeſts this Imagination ? I would
not have your Diſtemper in this kind, for the Wealth of
Vindſor-Caſtle. |

Ford. Lis my Fault, Mr. Page: I ſuffer for it.

Ewa: You ſuffer for pad Conſcience ; your Wife is as

honeſt a *omans, as I will deſires among five thouſand,
and five hundred too.

Caius. By gar, I ſee tis an honeſt Woman.

Ford. Well, I promis'd you a Dinner; come, come,

walk in the Park. I pray you, pardon me; I will here-,

after make known to you why I have done this. Come
Wife, come Miſtreſs Page, I pray you pardon me: Pray
heartily pardon me.

Page. Let's go in, Gentlemen; but, truſt me, we'll
mock him. I do invite you to morrow Morning to my
Houſe to Breakfaſt, after we'll a birding together; I have
a fine Hawk for the Buſh. Shall it be ſo?

Ford. Any thing. |

Ewa. If there is one, I ſhall make two in the Company.

Caius. If there be one or two, I ſhall make a the tird.

Eva. In your Teeth for Shame,

Ford. Pray you go, Mr. Paze. |

Ewa. I pray you now remembrance to-morrow on the
louſy Knave, mine Hoſt. |

Caius. Dat is good, by ga with all my Heart.

Eva. A louſy Knave, to have his gibes, and his mock-
er ies. | [Exeunt.

a.

b

42 The Merry Wives

SCENE IV.
Enter Fenton, and Miſtreſs Anne Page,

Fert. I fee, I cannot get thy Father's Love;
Therefore no more turn me to him, ſweet Nan.
Anne. Alas! how then ? |

Fit. Why, thou muſt be thy ſelf.
He doth object I am too great of Birth,
And that my State being gal'd with my Expence,
I ſeek to heal it only by his Wealth. |
Beſides theſe, other Bars he lays before me,
My Riots paſt, my wild Societies :
And tells me, tis a thing impoſſible
I ſhould love thee, but as a Property.

Anne. Nay be, he tel's you true.

Fent. No, Heav'n fo ſpeed me in my time to come,
Albeit, I will confeſs, thy Father's Wealth
Was the firſt Motive that I woo'd thee, Aue:

Yet wooing thee, I found thee of more value
Than Stamps in Gold, or Sums in ſealed Bags ;
And 'tis the very Riches of thy ſelf

That now I aim at.

Arne, Gentle Mr. Fenton, |

Yet ſeek my Father's Love, ſtill ſeek it, Sir:

If Opportunity and humbleſt Suit

Cannot attain it, why then hark you hither.
Enter Shallow, Slender, and Miſtreſs Quickly,
Shal. Break their Talk, Miſtreſs Quick.

My Kinſman ſhall ſpeak for himſelf.

Slen. I'll make a Shaft or a Bolt on it: D'flid, 'tis bug
venturing. | |
. Shel. Be not diſmay'd.
| © $hn. No, ſhe ſhall not diſmay me:
I care not for that, but that I am affeard. [you,

Duic, Pazk'ye; Mr. Slender would ſpeak a word with

Aune. I come to him. This is my Father's Choice.
O what a World of vile ill-favour'd Faults
Look handſom in three hundred Pounds a Year ?

Quic. And how does good Matter Fenton ?

Pray you, a word with ycu.
Shal. She's coming: to her, Coz.

of WINDSOR. 4.3

O Boy, thou hadſt a Father!
Slen. J had a Father, Mrs. Anne; my Uncle can tell

you good Jeſts of him. Pray you, Uncle, tell Mrs. Anne
the Jeſt, how my Father ſtole two Geeſe out of a Pen,
good Uncle.

Shal. Mrs. Anne, my Couſin loves you.
Slen. Ay, that I do, as well as I love any Woman in

Glouce/lerfire.
$hal. He will maintain you like a Gentlewoman.
Slen. Ay, that 1 will; come cut and long tail under

the Degree of a Squire,
Shal. He will make you a hundred and fifty Pounds

Jointure,

Arne. Good Maſter Shalkv, let him woo for himſel

Shal. Marry, I thank you for it; 3 I thank you for that,
Good Comfort; ſhe calls you, Coz. I'il leave you.

Anne. Now, Maſter Slender.

Sen. Now, good Mrs. Anne.

Ame. What is your Will?

len. My Will? Od's-heart- lings, that's a pretty Jeſt,
indeed, I ne'er made my Will yer, I thank Heav'n ; I
am not ſuch a ſickly Creature, I give Heav'n Praiſe.

Anne. I mean, Mr. Slender, what would you with me?

Slen. Truly, for my own part, I would little or nothing
with you; your Father and my Uncle have made Motions ;
if it be my Luck, fo ; if not, happy Man be his dole ; they
can tell you how things go better than I can; you may
aſk your Father; here he comes.

Enter Page, and Miſtreſs Pag

Page. Now, Maſter Slender: Love Fg Donalds Anne.
Why how now ? What does Maſter Fenton here ?
You wrong me, Sir, thus fill to haunt my, Houle :
I told you, Sir, my Daughter is diſpos'd of.

Fent. Nay, Maſter Page, be not impatient.

Mrs. Paze. Good Matter Fenton, come not tomy Chit d.

Page. She is no Match for you.

Fenb. Sir, will you hear me ?

Page. No, good Maſter Fenton.
Come, Matter S$hall/zzv ; come, Son Slender, in.
Knowing my mind, you wrong me N ſer Penton.

rennt Page, Shall r, and Slender.

Qulic. Speak to XIittreſs Page.

' Fent,

44 The Merry Wives
Fent. Good Miſtreſs Page, for that I love your Daughter
In ſuch a righteous Faſhion as I do,
Perforce, againſt all Check, Rebukes, and Manners,
J I muſt advance the Colours of my Love,
And not retire. Let me have your good Will.
Anne. Good Mother, do not marry me to yon Fool.
Mrs. Page. I mean it not, I ſeek you a better Husband,
Duic. That's my maſter, maſter Doctor.
Anne. Alas, I had rather be ſet quick 1th Earth,
And bowPd to Death with Turnips.
Mrs. Page. Come, trouble not your ſelf good Maſter Fu-
] will not be your your Friend nor Enemy : [t02,
My Daughter will I queſtion how ſhe loves you,
And as I find her, fo am Iaffeed.

Till then farewel, Sir; ſhe muſt needs go in, |
Her Father will be angry. [Ex. Mrs. Page and Anne.
Fent. Farewel, gentle miſtreſs ; farewel Nan.

Quic. This is my doing now. Nay, ſaid J, will you
caſt away your Child on a Fool and a Phyſician ?
Look on, Maſter Fenton: This is my doing.

Fent, I thank thee ; and I pray thee once to Night,
Give my ſweet Nan this Ring. There's for thy 115

xit.

Quic. Now Heaven ſend thee good Fortune. A kind
Heart he hath 3; a Woman would run through Fire and
Water for ſuch a kind Heart. But yet, I would my Ma-
ſter had Miſtreſs Anne, or I would Mr. Slender had her;
or, in ſooth, I would Mr. Fenton had her. I will do what
J can for them all three, for ſo I have promis'd, and 1'il
be as good as my Word, but ſpeciouſly for Mr. Fenton.
Well, I muſt of another Errand to Sir John Falſtaff from
my two miſtreſſes; what a Beaſt am I to ſlack it?

SCENE III.
Enter Falſtaff and Bardolph.

Bard. Here, Sir, 4

Fal. Go fetch me a Quart of Sack, put a Toaſt in't.
Have I liv'd to be carry'd in Baſket, like a Barrow of
Butcher's Offa), and to be thrown into the Thames ? Well,
if I be {erv'd ſuch another Trick, I'll have my Brains ta'en
out and butter'd, and give them to a Dog for a New-
year's

of WINDSOR, 45

years Gift. The Rogues lighted me into the River, with
as little Remorſe as they would have drown'd a Bitches
blind Puppies, fifteen i'th' Litter; and you may know,
by my Size, that I have a kind of Alacrity in ſinking :
If the Bottom were as deep as Hell, I ſhould down. I had
been drown'd, but that the Shore was ſhelvy and ſhallow ;
a Death that I abhor ; for the Water ſwells a Man: And
what a thing would I have been when I had been ſwell'd ?
I ſhould have been a Mountain of Mummy.

Bard. Here's Mrs. Quickly, Sir, to ſpeak with you.

Fal. Come, let me pour in ſome Sack to the Thames-
Water; for my Belly's as cold as if I had ſwallow'd Snow-
balls, for Pills to cool the Reins. Call her in.

Bard. Come in, Woman.

Enter Miſtreſs Quickly.
2uic, By your Leave: I cry you Mercy.
Give your Worſhip Good-morrow.
Fal. Take away theſe Chalices ;
Go brew me a Potfle of Sack finely.

Bard. With Eggs, Sir? |

Fal. Simple of it ſelf: I'll no Pullet-Sperm in my

Brewage, How now ?

" Quic, Marry, Sir, I come to your Worſhip from miſ-
treſs Ford.

Fal. Miſtreſs Ford? I have had Ford enough; I was

thrown into the Ford ; I have my Belly-full of Ford.
Auic. Alas the Day! good Heart, that was not her
Fault: She does ſo take on with her Men; they miſtook
their Erection. |

Fal. Sodid I mine, to build on a fooliſh Woman's
Promiſe. |

Quic. Well, ſhe laments, Sir, for it, that it would yearn
your Heart to ſee it. Here Huſband goes this Morning a
birding ; ſhe deſires you once more to come to her, be-
tween eig ht and nine. I muſt carry her Word quickly,
ſhe'll make you amends. I warrant you.

Fal. Well, I will viſit her; tell her ſo, and bid her
think what a Man is: Let her conſider his Frailty, and
then judge of my Merit.

Quic- I will tell her,

Fal. Do ſo. Between nine and ten, ſay'ſt thou?

NPuic, Eight and nine, Sir. 55
; Fal.

— . ͤ —˙¹- m — —
F

46 The Merry Wives

Fal. Well, be gone, I wil! not miſs her.

Duict, Peace be with you, Sir, [Exit,

Fal. I marvel I hear not of Maſter Brook; he ſent me
Word to ſtay within: I like his Money well.
Oh, here he comes.

0 | Enter Ford.

Ford. Bleſs you, Sir.

Fal. Now, Maſter Proz#, you come to know what
hath paſs'd between me and Ford's Wife.

Ford. That, indeed, Sir John, is my buſineſs,

Fal. Maſter Brook, I will not Iye to you
I was at her Houſe the Hour ſhe appointed me.

Ford. And you ſped, Sir,

Fal. Very ill- favour'dly, Maſter Brook.

Ford. How, Sir, did the change her Determination?

Fal. No, Maſter Brgok, but the peaking Cornuto, her
Huſband, Maſter
Jealouſy, comes in the inſtant bf our Encounter, after we
had embrac'd, kiſs'd, proteſted, and as it were, ſpoke the
Prologue of our Comedy; and at oy on a rabble of his

aſtigated by his Diſtem-

Companions, thither provok'd and nſtipater
per,and forſooth, to ſearch his = Wite's Love.
ord, What, while you were the
Fal. While I was there.

\

Ford. And did he ſearch for you, and could not find you?

Fal. You ſhall hear. As good Luck would have it,
comes in one Miſtreſs Page, gives Intelligence of Ford's
Approach, and by her Invention, and Ford's Wife's Dil-
traction, they convey'd me into a Buck-basket.

Ford. A Buck-basket.

Fal. Yes, a Buck-basket; ramm'd me in with foul

| Shirts and Smocks, Socks, foul Stockings, and greaſy Nap-

kins, that, Maſter Brock, there was the rankeſt Com-
pound of villainous Smell that ever offended Noſtril.
Ford. Ard how long lay you there? :
Fal. Nay, you ſhall hear, Maſter Brant, what I have
ſuffer'd to bring this Woman to evil, for your good. Be-
ing thus cramm'd in the Basket, a couple of Ford's Knaves,
his Hinds, were call'd forth by their Mfftreſs, to carry me,
in the name of foul Clothes, to Dalcl et-lauc, they tool
me on their Shoulde: s, met the jealous Knave their Maſter
in the Door, who arb d them once or twice what they had
; *

, ͤ =

Brook, Kane in a continual larum of

of WINDSOR. 47

in their Basket: I quak'd for Fear, leſt the lunatick
Knave would have fearch'd it; but Fate, ordaining he
ſhould be a Cuckold, held his Hand. Well, on went he
for a ſearch, and away went I for foul Cloaths ; but mark
the ſequel, Matter Brook, I ſuffered the pangs of three e-
gregious Deaths : F irſt, an intolerable Fright to be detect-
ed by a jealous rotten Bel!l-weather ; next to be compas'd
like a good Bilbo, in the Circumference of a Peck, hilt
to point, heel to head : and then to be ſtopt like a ſtrong
Dittillation, with ſtinking Clothes, that fretted in their
own Greaſe: Think of that, a Man of my Kidney; thin}:
of that, that am as ſubject to heat as Butter; a Man of
continual diſſolution and thaw ; it was a Miracle to ' ſcape
Suffocation. And in the height of this Bath, when I was
more than half ſtew'd in Greaſe, like a Dutch Diſh, to be
thrown into the Thames, and cool'd, glowing hot, in
that ſerge, like a Horſe-ſhoe ; think of that ; *
hot, think of that, Maſter Broo#.

Ford. In good ſadneſs, Sir, I am ſorry that for my ſake
you ſuffer'd all this. My Suit is then deſperate ; you'll
undertake her no more ?

Pal. Maſter Brook, I will be thrown into Etna, as I

have been into the Thames, ere Iwill leave her thus. Her
Husband is this Morning gone a Birding ; I have receiv'd
from her another Embaſſy of meeting? 'twixt eight and
nine is the Hour, Maſter Broad.

Ford. Tis paſt eight already, Sir.

Fal. Is it ? 1 wi!l then addreſs me to my Appointment.
Come to me at your convenient leiſure, and you ſhall
know how 1 ſpeed ; and the Concluſion ſhall be crown'd
with your enjoying her ; Adieu, you ſhall have her, ma-
ſer Broat, Maitzr Brook, you ſha!l cuckold Ferd. [ Exit.

Ferd. Hum! Ha! Is this a Vition 3 Is this a Dream ?
Do I ſleep? maſter Ford awake, awake, maſter Ford;
there's a Hole 22 in your beſt Coat, maſter Ford; this
dis to de married I this 'tisto haveLinnen and Buck-Baskets
Well, I will proclaim my ſelf what I am; I will now
take the Leacher ; he is at my Houle ; he cannot ic pe
me; 'tis impoſſible he ſhould ;3 he cannot creep into a
Halſpenny Purſe, nor into a Pepper box. But leſt the
Devil chat gaides him ſhould aid him, I will ſearch im-
poluote places; tho* what I am I cannot avoid, yet1o be
what

48

ll!

48 The Merry Wives
what I would not, ſhall not make me tame ; If I have

Horns to make one mad, let the Proverb go with me,
I'll be horn- mad. [Exit,

—

SG. 17. SCEME.L
Enter Miſtreſs Page, Miftreſs Quickly, and William.

Mrs. Page. IS he at Mr. Ford's already, thinkſt thou?
Die. Sure he is by this, or will be preſently;

but truly he is very courageous mad, about his throwing
into the Water; Mrs. Ford deſires you to come ſuddenly.

Mrs. Page. I'll be with her by and by; I'll but bring
my young Man here to School, Look where his Maſter
comes ; 'tis a Playing-day I ſee. How now, Sir Hugh, no
School to Day.

Euter Evans.

Eva. No, Maſter Slender is let the Boys leave to play.

Quic. Bleſſing of his Heart.

Mrs. Page. Sir Hugh, my Husband ſays my Son profits
nothing in the World at his Book; I pray you ask him
ſome Queſtions in his Accidence. |

Ewa. Come hither, Villiam; hold up your Head.

Mrs. Page. Come on, Sirrah, hold up your Head; an-
ſwer your Maſter, be not afraid.

Eva. William, how many Numbers is in Nouns ?

Will. Two. |

Quic. Truly, I thought there had been one Number
more, becauſe they fay od's Nowns. |

Ewa. Peace, your tatlings, What is Fair, William?

William. Pulcher.

Quic. Poulcats? There are fairer things than Poulcats,
ſure. 11

Eva. You are very ſimplicity oman; I pray, you peace.
What is Lapis, William ?

Will. A Stone.

Eva. And what is a Stone? 0

William. A Pebble.

Eva. No, it is Lapis: I pray you remember in your
Prain: |

"Uliam, Lapis.

IE, I Eva.

ts

1-

er

ur

)As

of W1NDSOR. 49

Eva. That is a good William: What is he, William,
that does lend Articles ?
Vill. Articles are borrowed of the Pronoun, and be thus

declin'd, Singulariter Nominativo, hie, hæc, hoc.

Eva. Nominativo, hig, hag, hog ; pray you mark Ge-

#itivo hujus : Well, what is your Accuſative Caſe ?

Will. Accuſative, hinc.

Ewa. I pray you, have you remembrance, Child, 4c-
cuſative, hing, hang, hog .

Quick. Hang Hog is Latin for Bacon, I warrant you.

Ewa. Leave your Prabbles 'oman. What is the Foca-
tive Caſe, William ? |

Will. O, Vocativo, O.

Ewa. Remember, William, Focative is caret.

Quict. And that's a good Root.

Ewa. Oman, forbear.

Mrs. Page. Peace.

Eva. What is your Genitive Caſe Plural, William?

Will. Genitive Caſe ? ©

Ewa. Ay. Ib

Will. Genitive horum, harum, horum.

Duic. Vengeance of Ginyes Caſe; fy on her; never
name her, Child, if ſhe be a Whore.

Ewa. For ſhame, o'man.

Quick. You do ill to teach the Child ſuch Words: He

teaches him to hic and to hac, which they'll do faſt e-

nough of themſelves ; and to call horum ; fy upon you.

Ewa. O'man, art thou Lunacies ? Haſt thou no Under-
ſtandings for thy Caſes, and the Numbers of the Genders ;
Thou art as fooliſh Chriſtian Creatures as I would deſires.

Mrs. Page Pr'ythee hold thy Peace.

Eva. Shew me now, William, ſome Delenſions of your
Pronouns, *

Will. Forſooth, I have forgot.

Ewa, It is, ui, gue, quod; if you forget your Quiis,
your Quæas, and your 2wods, you mult be preeches: Go
your _ and play, go.

Mrs. Page. He is a better Scholar than I thought he was.

Eva. He has a good ſprag memory. Farewel, Mrs. Page.

Mrs, Page. Adieu, good Sir Hugb.

Get you home, Boy, come, we ſtay too long. [FE xeunt
C SCENE

The Merry Wives

STENS- HH.
Enter Falſtaff and Miſtreſs F ord.

Fal. Miſtreſs Ford, your Sorrow hath eaten up my Suf-
ferance ; I ſee you are obſequious in your Love, and I
profeſs Requital to a Hair's breadth, not only, Mrs. Foro,

ia the ſimple Office of Love, but in the Accouſtrement,
Compliment, and Ceremony of it. But are you ſure of
your Husband now?

Mrs. Ford. He's a Birding, ſweet Sir John.

Mrs Page. [within] what hoa, Goſſip Ford! what hoa!

Mrs. Ford. Step into the Chamber, Sir Fohn. [Ex. Fal.
Enter Miſireſs Page.

Mrs. Page. How now, ſweet Heart, who's at home be-

ſides your ſelf ?

Mrs. Ford. Why none but mine own People.

Mrs. Page. Indeed! BH

Mrs. Ford. No, certainly—— Speak louder.

Mrs. Page. Truly I am ſo glad you have no body here,

Mrs. Ford. Why ?

Mrs. Page. Why, Woman, your Husband is in his old
Lunes again; he fo takes on yonder with my Husband,
ſo rails againſt all married mankind, ſo curſes all Ewe's
Daughters, of what Complexion ſoever, and ſo buffets
himſelf on the -Forehead, crying, peer-out, peer-out, that
any madneſs I ever yet beheld ſeemed but Tameneſs,
Civility, and Patience to this Diſtemper he is in now; I
am glad the fat Knight is not here.

Mrs. Ford. Why, does he talk of him ? ;

Mrs Page. Of none but him, and ſwears he was car-
ry'd out : laſt time he ſearched for him in a Basket;
proteſts to my Husband he is now here, and hath drawn

50

him, and the reſt of their Company from their Sport, to

make another Experiment of his Suſpicion; but I am
glad the Knight is not here ; now he ſhall ſee his own
Fcolery. |

Mrs. Ford. How near is he, Mrs. Page?

Mrs. Page Hard by, at Street's end, he will be here anon.

Mrs. Ford. I am undone, the Knight is here.

Mrs. Page. Why then thou art utterly ſham'd, and he's

but a dead Man. What a Woman are you? away with

him, away with him : better Shame than Murder,
"0 Mrs. Ford.

„ @ © v * =

of W1NDSOR, 51
Mrs, Ford. Which way ſhou!d he go? How ſhould I
beſtow him? ſhall I put him into the Basket again?

Enter Falſtaff.
Fal. No, I'll come no more i'th' Basket:

May I not go out ere he come?

Mrs. Page. Alas, alas, three of Maſter Ford's Brothers
watch the Door with Piſtols, that none ſhould iſſue out,
otherwiſe you might ſlip away ere he came; But what
make you here ?

Fal. What ſhall Ido? T'll creep up into the Chimney.

Mrs. Ford. There they always uſed to diſcharge their
Birding-Pieces ; creep into the Kill-Hole.

Fal. Where is it ?

Mrs. Ford. He will ſeek there, on my Word: Neither
Preſs, Coffer, Cheſt, Trunk, Well, Vault, but he hath
an Abſtra& for-the remembrance of ſuch Places, and goes
to them by his Note; there is no hiding yon in tke“
Houſe, |

Fal. I'Il go out then.

Mrs. Ford. If you go out in your own Semblance, ycu
die, Sir Jobn, unleſs you go out diſguis d. How might
we diſguiſe him: |

Mrs. Page. Alas the Day, I know not; there is no
Woman's Gown big enough for him, etherwiſe he might
put on a Hat, a Muffler, and a Kerchief, and fo eſcape.

Fal. Good Heart, deviſe ſomething ; any Extremity,
rather than miſchief.

Mrs. Ford. My maid's Aunt, the fat Woman of Brain.
ford, has a Gown above.

Mrs. Page. On my word, it will ſerve him, ſhe's as big,
as he is, and there's her thrumb hat, and her muffler
too. Run up, Sir John.

Mrs. Ford. Go, go, ſweet Sir John, Mrs. Page and I
will look ſome Linnen for your Head.

Mrs. Page. Quick, quick, we'll come dreſs you ſtraight,
put on the Gown the while. (Exit Falſtaff.

Mrs. Ford. I would my Husband would meet him in -
this Shape, he cannot abide the old Woman of Brainford ;
he ſwears ſhe's a Witch, forbad her my Houſe, and hath
threatned to beat her.

Mrs. Page. Heav'n guide him to thy Husband's Cudgel,
and the Devil guide his Cudgel afterwards,

C2 Mrs. FA

* —
> © —_—

—
= ——

bl —
ty
—_— — A
SS —— — —— — —
„ xs was

52 The Merry Wives
Mrs. Ford. But is my Husband coming ?
Mrs. Page. Ay, in good Sadneſs is he, and talks of the
Bisket too, however he hath had Intelligence. :
Mrs. Ford. We'll try that; for I'll appoint my men to
earry the Basket again, to meet him at the Door with it
as they did laſt time.
Mrs. Page. Nay, but he'II be here preſently ; let's go
dreſs him like the Witch of Brainford.
Mrs. Ford. I'll firſt direct my men, what they ſhall do
with the Basket; go up, 1'il bring Linnen for him ſtraight,
Mrs. Page, Hang him, diſhoneſt Varlet,
We cannct miſuſe him enough, |
We'll leave a Proof, by that which we will do,
Wives may be merry, and yet honeſt too.
We do not act, that oſten jeſt and laugh:
Tis old but true, ſtill Swine eat all the Draugh,
Mrs. Ford. Go, Sirs, take the Basket again on your
Shoulders; your maſter is hard at Door; if he bid you
ſet it down, obey him; Quickly, diſpatch. |
Enter Servants evith the Basket.
1 Sexy, Come, come, take up.
2 Ser, Pray Heav'n it be not full of the Knight again.
1 Sercœ. J hope not, I had as lief bear ſo much Lead.
Enter Ford, Shallow, Page, Caius and Evans.
Ford. Ay, but if it prove true, maſter Page, have you
any way then to unfool me again? Set down the Basket,
Villain; ſome body call my wife: Youth in a Basket!
Oh you panderly Raſcals, there's a Knot, a Gang, a Pack,
a Conſpiracy againſt me? now ſhall the Devil be ſham'd,
What Wife! I fay ; come, come forth, behold what ho-
neſt Clothes you tend forth to bleaching. |
Page. Why this paſtes, maſter Ford; you are not to go
looie any longer, you muſt be pinion'd. -
Eva. Why, this is Lunaticks ; this is mad as a mad Co7,
: Enter Mrs, Ford,
Shel. Indeed, maſter Ford, this is not well, indeed.
Ford. So fay I too, Sir. Come hither, miſtreſs Ford,
miſtreſs Ford, the honeſt Woman, the modeſt Wife, the
virtuous Creature, that hath the jealous Fool to her Huſ-
band: I ſuſpect without Cauſe, miſtreſs, do I ?
Mrs. Ford. tHeav*n be my Witneſs, you do, if you ſuſ-

& me in my Diſhoneſty.
M1 al | Ford.

of WINPDSOR. 53

Ford. Well ſaid, Brazen-face, hold it out: Come forth,

Sirrah. [Pals the Clothes out of the Basel-
Pace. This paſſes.

trs. Ford. Are you not aſham'd ? Let the Clothes alone.

Ford I ſhall ſind you anon.

Ewa. *Tis unreaſonab!c ; will you take up your wiſc's
Clothes ? Come away.

Ford. Empty the Baſket, I ſay.

Mrs. Ferd. Why, man, why ?

Ford. Maſter Page, as J am a man, there was one con-
vey'd out of my houſe yeſterday in this Baſket ; wliy
may not he be there again? In my Houſe I am ſure
he is; my Intelligence is true, my Jealouſy is reaſonable,
pluck me out all the Linnen.

Mrs. Ford. If you find a man there, he ſhall die a flea's
death.

Page. Here's no man.

Shal. By my fidelity this is not well, maſter Ford ; this
wrongs you. |

Ewa. Maſter Ford, you mult pray, and not. follow the
Imaginations of your own Heart; this is Jealouſies.
Ford. Well, he is not here I ſeek for.

Page. No, nor no where elſe but in your Brain.
Ford, Help to ſearch my Houſe this one time; If I firid

not what I ſeek, ſhew no colour for my Extremity ; let

me for ever be your Table-ſport ; let them ſay of me, As
Jealous as Ford, that ſearched a hollow Walnut for his
Wive's Lemman. Satis!y me once more, once more
ſearce with me.

Mrs. Ferd. What hoa, miſtreſs Paze ! come you and the
old woman down; my Husband will come into the
Chamber.

Ford. Old Woman]! What old Woman's that?

Mrs. Ford. Why, it is my maid's Aunt of Brainford.

Ford. A Witch, a Queen, an old cozening Queen ; have
I not forvid her my Houſe ? She comes of Errande, does
ſhe? We are ſimple men, we do not know what's brought
to paſs under the profeſſion of fortune-telling. She
works by charms, by ſpells, by the figure, and ſuch
daubery as this is, beyond onr Element; we know
nothing. Come down, you witch, you hag you, come
down, I ſay, N

C 3 Mrs. Ferd.

54 The Merry Wives

Mrs. Ford, Nay, good ſweet Huſband ; good Gentle-

men, let him not ſtrike the old Woman.
Enter Falſtaff in Womens Clothes.

1 — 1 Page. Come, mother Prat, come, give me your
an
Ford. I'll Prat her, Out of my Dcor, you Witch [ Beats,

him.) you Hag, you Baggage, you Poulcat, you Runnion,

out, out, out; I'll conjure you, I'II Fortune-te]l you.
[Exit Fal.

Mrs. Page. Are you not aſham'd ?

1 think you have kill'd the poor Woman.

Mrs. Ford. Nay, he will do it; tis a goodly Credit for you,

Ford. Hang her, Witch.

Ea. By yea and no, I think the 'Oman is a Witch in-

deed : I like not when a 'oman has a gront Peard ; I ſpy

a great Peard under her muffler.

Ford. Will you follow, Gentlemen! ? I beſeech you fol-
low, fee but the Iſſue of my Jealouly ; if I cry out thus
upon no Trail, never truſt me when I open again.

Page. Let's obey his Humour a little further :

Come, Gentlemen. [ Exeunt.
Mrs. Page. Truſt me, he beat him moſt pitifully.
Mrs. Ford. Nay, by the Maſs, that he did not ; he beat

him moſt unpitifully, methought.

Mrs. Page. I'll have the Cudgel hallow'd, and hung
o'er the Altar ; it hath done meritorious Service.

Mrs. Ford. What think you? May we, with the war-
rant of Woman-hood, and the Witneſs of a good 'Con-
ſcience, purſue him with any further Revenge ?

Mrs. Page. The Spirt of Wantonneſs is ſure ſcar'd out
of him; if the Devil have him. not in Fee-fimple, with
Fine and Recovery, he will never, I think, in the way

of waſte, attempt us again.
Mrs. Ford. Shall we tell our Husbands 3 we have

ſerved him?

Mrs. Page. Yes, by all means ; if it be but to ſcrape the
Figures out of your Husband's Brain. If they can find
in the Hearts their poor unvirtuous fat Knight ſhall be any
farther afflicted, we two will ſtil!l be the Miniſters.

Mrs. Ford. I'll warrant, they'll have him publickly ſham-
ed ; and methinks there would be no Period to the Jeſt,

ſhould he not be publickly ſham'd,
a . Mrs. Page

of W1NDSOR 55
Mrs. Page. Come to the Forge with it, then ſhape it.
I would not have things cool. [ Exeunt.

SCENE III.
Enter Hoſt and Bardolph.

Bard. Sir, the German deſires to have three of your
Horſes ; the Duke himſelf will be to-morrow at Court,
and they are going to meet him.

Het. What Duke ſhould that be comes fo ſecretly ? I
hear not of him in the Court: Let me ſpeak with the
Gentlemen; they ſpeak Englifh,

Bar. Sir, Pl} call them to you.

Hat. They ſhall have my Horſes, but I'll make them
pay, I'll awce them. They have had my Houſe a Week
at Command, I have turn'd away my other Gueſts ; they

mult compt off ; I'll ſawce them, come. [ Exeunt.
| SCENE IV.
Enter Page, Ford, Miſreſt Page, Miſtreſ Ford, aad
| Evans. |

Ewa. Tis one of the beſt Diſcretions of a 'oman as ever
I did look upon. |

Page. And did he ſend you both theſe Letters at an in-
ſtant ?

Mrs. Page. Within a quarter of an Hour.

Ferd. Pardon me, Wife, henceforth do what thou wilt:
I rather will ſuſpe& the Sun with Cold,
Than thee with Wantonneſs ; now doth thy Honour ſtand,
In him that was of late an Heretick, |
As firm of Faith.

Page. Tis well, tis well; no more.
Be not as extreme in Submiſſion, as in Offence,
But let our Plot go forward : Let our Wives
Yet once again, to make as publick Sport,
Appoint a Meeting with this old fat Fellow,
Where we may take him, and diſgrace him for it.

Ford. There is no better way than that they ſpoke of.

Page. How ? to ſend him Word they'll meet him in the
Park at midnight? Fy, fy, he'll never come.

ff Eva.

56 The Merry Wives
Ewa. You ſay he hath been thrown into the River;
and has been grievoully peaten, as an old 'omin; me-
thinks, there ſhould Le Terrors in him, that he ſhould not
come ; methinks, his Fleſh is puniſh'd, he ſhall have no
Defires. | |

Page. So think I too. |

Mrs. Ferd. Deviſe but how you'll uſe him when he comes;
And let us two deviſe to bring him thither.

Mrs. Page. There is an old Tale goes, that Herne the
Sometime a Keeper in Vindſar Foreſt, Hunter,
Doth all the Winter time at ſtill of midnight
Walk round about an Oak, with ragged Horns,
And there he blaſts the Tree, ard takes the Cattle,
And makes milch kine yield blood, and ſhakes a Chain
In a moſt hideous and dreadful manner. 4
| You have heard of ſuch Spirit, and well you know
The ſuperſtitious idle-headed EU
Receiv'd, and did deliver to our Age
This Tale of Herne the Hunter for a Truth.

Page. Why yet there want not mavy, that do fear
In deep of Night to walk by this Herne's Oak ;

Fut what of this ? |
- Mrs, Ford. Marry, this is our Device,
That Fa/ſtaff at that Oak ſhall meet with us.

Page. Well, let it not be doubted but he'll come.
And in this Shape when you have brought him hither,
V/hat ſhall be done with him? What is your plot?

Mrs. Page. That likewiſe we have thought upon, and
thus :

Nan Page (my Daughter, and my little Son,

And three or four more of their Growth, we'll dreſs

Like Urchins, Ouphes, and Fairies, green and white,

With Rounds of waxen Tapers on their Heads,

And Rattles in their Hands; upon a ſudden,

As Faltaff, ſhe, and I, are newly met,

Let them from forth a Saw-pit ruſh at once

With ſome diffuſed Song : Upon their fight

We too, in great Amazedneſs, will fly ;

Then let them all encircle him about,

And Fairy-like to pinch the unclean Knight;

And atk him why that Hour of fairy revel,

*

of WINDSOR. 57

In their ſo ſacred Paths he dares to tread
In Shape profane.

Mr. Ford. And 'till he tell the Truth,
Let the ſuppoſed Fairies pinch him round,
And burn him with their Tapers.

Mrs. Page. The Truth being known,

We'll all preſent our ſelves; diſ-horn the *
And mock him home to Vindſor.

Ford. The Children muſt
Be practisd well to this, or they'll ne'er do't.

Ewa. ] will teach the Children their Behaviours, and I
will be like a Jack-a-napes alſo, to burn the Knight with
my Taber.

Ford. This will be excellent.

Til go buy them Vizards.

Mrs. Page. My Nan ſhall be the Queen of al the Fairies,
Finely attired in a Robe of White.
Page. That Silk would I go buy, and in that time
Shall Mr. Slender ſteal my Nan away,
And marry her at Eaton. Go, ſend to Fa/faff ſtraight.
Ford. Nay, I'll to him again in the Name of Brozt ;
Hel! tell me all his Purpoſe, ſure he“ come.
Mrs. Page. Fear not you that; go get us Properties,
And Trickiug for your Fairies,
Eva. Let us about it,
It is admirable Pleaſures, and ferry honeſt Knaveries.
[Exenunt Page, Ford and Evans,
Mrs. Page. Go, Mrs. Ford. _
Send quickly to Sir Jer, to know his mind,
[Exit Mrt. Ford.
I' to the Doctor, he hath my good Will,
And none but he to marry with Nan Page.
That Slender, tho* well landed, is an Idiot;
And he my Husband beſt of all aſtects:
The Doctor is well money'd, and his Friends
Potent at Court; he, none but he {ha!! have her,
Thoꝰ twenty thouſand worthier came to crave her. [Ext.

ee

O5 SCENE

58 De Merry Wives
SCENE v.

Enter Hoſt and Simple.

Het. What wouldſt thou have, Boor ; what, Thick-skin,
ſpeak, breathe, diſcuſs; brief, ſhort, quick, ſnap.

Sim. Marry, Sir, I come to ſpeak with Sir Jobn Fal.
ſtaff, from Mr. Slender. ;

Het. There's his Chamber, his Houſe, his Caftle, his
Standing-bed and 'Truckle-bed ; *tis painted about with
the Story of the Prodigal, freſh and new; go, knock and

call? he'll ſpeak like an Anthropophaginian unto thee :
Knock. I ſay.

Simp. There's an old Woman, a fat Woman gone up
into his Chamber; I'Il be fo bold as ſtay, Sir, till ſhe
come down ; I come to ſpeak with her, indeed.

Hoft. Ha la fat Woman? The Knight may be robb'd : -
Fil call. Bully-Knight ! Bully-Sir John ſpeak from thy
Lungs millitary : Art thou there ? It is thine Hoſt, thine
Ephefian calls.

Enter Falſtaff.

Fal. How now, mine Hoſt ?

Hoſt. Here's a Bohemian Tartar, tarries the coming
down of thy fat Woman: Let her deſcend, Bully, let
her deſcend ; my Chambers are honourable, Fy, Privacy !
Fy.
Pal There was, mine Hoſt, an old fat Woman even
now with me, but ſhe's gone.

Simp. Pray you, Sir, was't not the wiſe Woman of
Brainford?

Fal. Ay, marry, was it, Muſcle-ſhell, what wou'd you
with her? ; |

Simp My maſter, Sir, my maſter Slender ſent to her,

" ſeeing her go thro' the Street, to know, Sir, whether

one Vm, Sir, that beguil'd him of a Chain, had the Chain

or no.

Fal. I ſpake with the old Woman about it.

Simp. And what ſays ſhe, I pray, Sir?

Fal. Marry, ſhe fays, that the very ſame man that be-
guild matter Stender of his Chain, cozen'd him of = |

imp,

18

h
d

cz

» TL” Tm

and ] paid nothing for it neither, but was paid for my

of them in a Slough of Mire, and ſet Spurs, and away

duo not not ſay they be fled ; Germans are honeſt Men.

of WINDSOR. 59

Simp. I would I could have ſpoken with the Woman
herſelf. I had other things to have ſpoken with her too,
from him.

Fal. What are they ? Let us know.

Hoſt.” Ay, come? quick:

Simp. T may not conceal them, Sir.

Het. Conceal them, or thou dy'lt.

Simp. Why, Sir, they were nothing but about Miſtreſs
Anne Page; to know if it were my Maſter's Fortune to
have her or no.

Fal. Tis, 'tis his Fortune.

Simp. What, Sir?

_ To have her, or no: Go; ſay the Woman told
me ſo.

Simp. May I be ſo bold to fay fo, Sir?

Hoſt. Ay, Sir; like who more bold.

Simp. 1 —＋ me Worſhip : I ſhall make my maſter
glad with theſe Tidings, [Exit Simp.

Het. Thou art clarkly ; thou art clarkly, Sir John:
Was there a wiſe Woman with thee ?

Fal. Ay, that there was, mine Hof, one that hath
taught me more Wit than ever I learn'd before in my Life,

learning.
Enter Bardolph.
Bard. Out, alas, Sir, Cozenage : Mere Cozenage !
Het. Where be my Horſes ? Speak well of them, Var-
letto.
Bard. Run away with the Cozeners ; for ſo ſoon as I
came beyond Eaton, they threw me off from behind one

like three German Devils, three Doctor CR
Hoſt. They are gone but to meet the Duke, Villain,

Enter Evans.
Eva. Where is mine Het?
Heſt. What is the matter, Sir?
Ewa. Have a care of your Entertainments; there is a
Friend o' mine come to Town, tells me there is thres
Cozen-Jermans that has cozen'd all the Hos of Readings,
of Maiden-Head, of Cole-brake, of Horſes and money. 1
N Ws x de

60 The Merry Wives

tell you for good Will, look you ; you are wiſe, and full
of Gibes and vlouting Stocks, and 'tis not convenient you
ſhould be cozen'd ? fare you well. [Exit
Enter Caius.

Caius, Ver is mine Hoſt de Farteer ?

Hot. Here, maſter Doctor, in Perplexity and doubtful
Dilemma. | |

Caius, J cannot tell vat is dat; but it is tell-a me, dat
you make a grand Preparation for a Duke de Famany ; by
my trot, dere is no Duke dat the Court is know, to come:
I tell you for good Will ; adieu. LExit.

He. Hue and Cry, Villain, go; aſſiſt me, Knight, I
am undone; fly, run, hue and cry. Villain, I am un-
done. | „ SIE.

Fal. I would all the World might be coxen'd, for I
have been cozened and beaten too, If it ſhould come to
the Ear of the Cgurt, how I have been transformed, and
* how my Transformation hath been waſh'd and cudgel'd,
they would melt me out of my Fat, Drop by Drop, and
Jiquor Fiſhermens Boots with me ; I warrant they would
whip me with their fine Wits, 'till I were as creſt-faln as
a dry'd Pear. I never proſper'd ſince I forſwore my ſelf
at Primero, Well, if my Wind were but long enough to
iay my Prayers, I would repent. Now, whence come you?

Enter Miſtreſs Quickly.

Quic. From the two Parties, forſooth.

Pe], The Devil take one Party, and his Dam the other,
and ſo they ſhall be both beſtow'd ; I have ſuffer'd more for
their ſakes, more than the villainous Inconſtancy of Man's
Diſpoſition is able to bear.

Q ic. And have not they ſuffer'd ? yes, I warrant, ſpe-
cioully one of them; miſtreſs Ford, good Heart, is beaten
black and blue, that you cannot fee a white ſpot about
her. fb |

Fal. What tell'ſt thou me of black and blue; I was
beaten my ſelf imo all the Colours of the Rain-bow; and
] was like to be apprehended tor the Witch of Branford,
but that my admirable Dexerity of Wit, counterfeiting
the Action of a wood Woman, deliver'd me, the Knave

Conſtable had ſet me i'th' Stocks, 1'th common Stocks
tor a Witch. ;

Daic,

are.

of WINDSOR. 61

Quic. Sir, let me ſpeak with you in your Chamber,

you ſhall hear how things go, and, I warrant, to your

Content. Here is a Letter will ſay ſomewhat. GoodHearts,
what ado is here to bring you together ? Sure one of you
noes not ſerve Heav'n well, that you are ſo croſs'd.

Fal. Come up into my Chamber. [Exeunt,

SCENE VI.
Enter Fenton and Hoſt.

H:ft. Maſter Fenton, talk not to me, my mind is heavy,
I will give over all,

Fent. Yet hear me ſpeak ; aſſiſt me in my purpoſe,
And, as I am a Gentleman, [I'll give thee |
A hundred Pound in Gold more than your Loſs.

He. I will hear you, Maſter Fenton; and I will, at
the leaſt, keep your Counſel.

Fent. From time to time I have acquainted you
With the dear Love I bear to fair Aure Page,

Who, mutually, hath anſwer'd my Affection,

(So far forth as her ſelf might be her Chooſer)

E'en to my Wiſh ; I have a Letter ſrom her

Of ſuch Contents, as you will wonder at ;

The Mirth whereof's fo larded with my matter,

That neither hngly can be maniteſted,

Without the ſhew of both. Fat Sir Fon Fallaff
Hath a great Scene ; the Image of the Jeſt

Pil ſhew you here at large. Hark, good mine Hoſt 3
To Night at Herne's Oak, juſt *twixt twelve and one,
Muſt my ſweet Nan preſent the Fairy Queen,
The Purpoſe why, is here; in which Diſguiſe,
While other Jeſts are ſomething rank on Foot,

Her Father hath commanded her to ſlip

Away with Slender, and with him at Eaton
Immediately to marry ; ſhe hath conſented. Now Sir,
Her mother, ever ſtrong againſt the match,

And firm for Doctor Caius, hath appointed

That he ſhall likewiſe ſhuffle her away,

While other Sports are taſking of their minds,

And at the Deanery, where a Prieft attends,

Straight marry her: to this her mothers Plot

She

62 The Merry Wives

She, ſeemingly obedient, likewiſe hath
Made promiſe to the Doctor: Now thus it reſts ;
Her Father means ſhe ſhall be all in White,
And in that Dreſs, when Slender ſees his time
To take her by the Hand, and bid her go,
She ſhall go with him. Her mother hath intended,
The better to devote her to the Doctor,
(For they muſt all be maſked and vizarded)
That, quaint in Green, ſhe ſhall be looſe enrob'd,
With Ribbands-Pendant, flaring bout her Head;
And when the Doctor ſpies his Vantage ripe,
To pinch her by the Hand, and on that Token,
'The maid hath given Conſent to go with him.
Hot. Which means ſhe to deceive ? Father or mother;
Fent. Both, my good Hoſt, to go along with ine:
And here it reſts, that you'll procure the Vicar
To ſtay for me at Church, 'twixt twelve and one,
And in the lawful name of marrying,
To give our Hearts united Ceremony,
He Well, Husband, your Device; I'll to the Vicar.
Bring you the maid, you ſhall not lack a Prieſt,
Fent. So ſhall I evermore be bound to thee;
Beſide, I'll make a preſent Recompence. [Exe.

_—_—

ACT v. SCENE I.

Enter Falſtaff and Miftre/s Quickly.

Fal. MR'ythee no more pratling ; go, I'll hold. This is
the third time; I hope, good Luck lies in odd
Numbers; away, go ; they fay there is Divinity in odd
Numbers, either in Nativity, Chance or Death; away.
Quic. I'Il provide you a Chain, and T'!1 do what I can to
get you a pair of Horns. [Exit Miſtreſs Quickly.
Fal. Away, I fay, time wears; hold up your Head,
and mince.
Enter Ford. |
How now, maſter Brook ? maſter Brook, the matter will
be known to Night, or never. Be you in the Park about
Midnight, at Hern's Oak, and you ſhall ſee Wonders.
© Ford. Went you not to her Yeſterday, Sir, as you told
me you had appointed ? | Fal,

of WIN DSO R. 63

Fal. I went to her, maſter Brook, as you ſee, like a
poor old Man; but I came from her, maſter Brook, like
a poor old Woman. 'The fame Knave, Ford, her Huſband,
hath the fineſt mad Devil of Jealouſy in him, matter
Brook, that ever govern'd Phrenzy. I will tell you, he
beat me grievouſly, in the ſhape of a Woman ; for in the
ſhape of a Man, maſter Brook, I fear not Geliah with a
Weaver's Beam; becauſe I know alſo Life is a Shuttle; I
am in haſte ; go along with me; I'II tell you all, Matter
Brot. Since I pluckt Geeſe, play'd 'Truant, and whipt
Top, I knew not what Jtwas to be beaten, till lately.
Follow me, I'll tell you ſtrange things of this Knave Ford,
on whom to Night I will be revenged, and Iwill deliver
his Wife into your Hand. Follow; ſtrange things in
hand, maſter Brook ; follow. I [Exeunt.

SCENE II.
Enter Page, Shallow and Slender.

Page. Come, come, we'll couch i'th Caſtle-ditch, *till
we ſee the light of our Fairies. Remember, Son Slender,
my Daughter. |

Slen. Ay, Forſooth, I have ſpoke with her, and we
haye a Nay-word how to know one another. I come to
her in white and cry mum, ſhe cries budget, and by that
we know one another.

Shal. That's good too; but what needs either your
mum, or her budget? 'The white will decipher her well
enough. It hath ſtruck ten a-Clock.

Page. The Night is dark, Light and Spirits will be-
come it well; Heav'n proſper our Sport. No man means
evil but the Devil, and we ſhall know him by hi: Horns.
Let's away; follow me. [Exeunt.

-SCENE III.
Enter Miſtreſs Page, Miſtreſs Ford, and Caius,

Mrs. Page. Mr. Doctor, my Daughter is in green, when
you ſee your time, take her by the Hand, away with her
to the Deanery, and diſpatch it quickly; go before into
the Park; we two mult go together,

+ Caixs,

1 The Merry Wives

Caigs. I know vat I have to do; adieu. [Fxit,

Mrs. Page. Fare you well, Sir. My Huſband will not re-
joice ſo much at the abuſe of Falſtaſt, as he will chafe at
the Doctor's marrying my Daughter: But 'tis no matter;
better a little chiding, than a great deal of heart break.

Mrs. Ford. Where is Nan now, and her Troop of Fai-
ries, and the Veh Devil, Evans?

Mrs. Page. They are all couch'd in a Pit hard by Hern's
Oak, with obſcur'd Lights ; which at the very inſtant of
Falltaf's and our meeting, they will at once diſplay to the
Night.

Ntrs. Ford. That cannot chuſe but amaze him.

Mrs. Page. If he be not amazed he will be mock'd ; it
he be amaz d he will every way be mock'd.

Mrs. Ford. We'll betray him finely. |

Mrs. Page. Aga inſt ſuch Lewdſters, and their Lechery,
T hole that betray them do no Treachery.

Mrs. Ford. The Hour draws on; to the Oak, to the
Oak, [ Excunt,

S. CEN E IV.
Enter Evans and Fairies.

Eva. Trib, trib, Fairies; come and remember your
parts: Be pold, I pray you, follow me into the Pit, and
when I give the Watch- ords, do as I bid you: Come,
come; trib, trib. a Excunt.

S8. CCE NE F.
Enter Falſtaff.

Fal. The Vindſr Bell hath ſtruck twelve, the Minute
draws on; now the hot-blooded Gods aſſiſt me, Remem-
ber, Jove, thou wait a Bull for thy Eurcpa; Love ſet on
thy Horns. Oh powerful Love! that in ſome reſpects
makesa Beaſta Man ; in ſome ather, a Man a Beaſt, You
were alſo, Jupiter, a Swan, for the Love of Leda: Oh omni-
potent Love! how near the God drew to the Complexien
of a Gooſe ; a Fault done firſt in the form of a Beaſt, O
Fove, a beaſtly fault; and then another fault in the ſem-
blance of a Fow] ; think on't, Jove, a foul Fault. When
Gods have hot Backs, what ſhall poor Men do? For me,

I

of W1NDSOR. 65

T am here a Mingſor Stag, and the fatteſt, I think, 1th
Foreſt. Send me a cool Rut-time, Jove, or who can
blame me to piſs my Tallow ? Who comes here? my
Doe ? |
Enter Miſtreſs Ford and Miſtreſs Page.
Mrs. Ford. Sir Fobn? Art thou there, my Deer ?
My Male-Deer ? 3
Fal. My Doe with the black Scut! Let thy Sky rain
Potatoes, let it thunder to the Tune of Green Sleeves, hail
kifling-Comfits, and ſnow Eringoes ; let there come a
Tempeſt of Provocation, I will ſhelter me here.
Mrs. Ford. Miſtreſs Page is come with me, ſweet Heart.
Fal. Divide me like a bribed Buck, each a Haunch ; I
will keep my Sides to my ſelf, my Shoulders for the Fel-
low of this Walk, and my Horns I bequeath your Hus-
band's. Am I a Woodman, ha ? Speak I like Herne the
Hunter? Why, now is Cupid a Child of Conſcience, he
makes Reſtitution. - As I am a true Spirit, wetcome.
[ Noiſe writhing
Mrs. Page. Alas! what Noiſe ?
Mrs. Ford. Heav'n forgive our Sins.
Fal. What ſhall this be ?
Mrs. Ford. Mrs. Page, away, away.
[De Women run out.
Fal. I think the Devil will not have me damn'd,
Leſt the Oil that is in me ſhould ſet Hell on Fire;
He would never elfe croſs me thus.
Enter Fairies.
Quic. Fairies, black, gray, green, and white,
You moon-ſhine Revellers, and Shades of Night,
You Ouphan Heirs of fixed Deſtiny,
Attend your Office, and your Quality.
Cries Hobgoblin, make the Fairy O-yes.
Ewa. Elves, lit your Names; ſilence you airy Toys,
Cricket, to Windſor Chimneys ſhalt thou leap :
Where Fires thou find'ſt unrak'd, and Hearths unſwept,
There pinch the maids as blue as Bilbery.
-Qur radiant-Queen hates Sluts and Sluttery.
Fal. They are Fairies, he that ſpeaks to them ſhall die.
Fll wink and couch; no man their Works muſt eye.
1451; [ Lies down upon his Face.
* Ewe.

66 The Merry Wives

Ewa. Where's Pede? Go you and where yon find a maid
That ere ſhe ſleep hath thrice her Prayers ſaid,
Raiſe up the Organs of her Phantaſy,
Sleep ſhe as ſound as careleſs Infancy ;
But thoſe that ſleep and think not on their Sins,
Pinch them, Arms, Legs, Backs, Shoulders, Sides,and Shins,
uic. About, about;
Search Windſor Caſtle, Elves, within and out,
Strew good Luck, Ouphes, on every ſacred Room,
'That it may ſtand till the perpetual Doom,
In State as wholſome, as in State *tis fit;
Worthy the Owner, and the Owner it.
The ſeveral Chairs of Order look you ſcour, -
With Juice of Balm and every precious Flow'r ;
Each fair Inſtalment, Coat, and ſev'ral Creſt,
With loyal Blazon evermore be bleſt.
And nightly meadow Fairies, look you ſing
Like to the Garter-compaſs in a Ring:
The Expreſſure that it bears, Green let it be,
More fertile frefh than all the Field to ſee;
And Honi Soit Buy Mal-y Penſe write |
In Emrould-tuffs, Flowers purple, blue and white,
Like Saphire-pearl, and rich Embroidery,
Buckled below fair Knighthoods bending Knee;
Fairies uſe Flow'rs for their Charactery.
Away, diſperſe ; but till *tis one a- Clock
Our dance of Cuſtom round about the Oak
Of Herne the Hunter let us not forget. Cſet:
Ewa. Pray you lock Hand in Hand, your ſelves in Order
And twenty Glow-worms ſhall our Lanthorns be
To guide our mea{ure round about the Tree..
But ſtay, I ſmell a man of middle Earth.
Fal. Heav'n defend me from that eib Fairy,
Leſt he transform me to a piece of Cheeſe.
Pift. Vile Worm, thou walt o'er-look'd even thy Birth,
Buick. With Trial-fire touch me his Fingers end;
If he be Chaſte, the Flame will back deſcend
And turn him to no Pain; but if he ſtart,
It is the Fleſh of a corrupted Heart.
Piſt. A Trial, come. |
[They burn him with their Tapers and pinch him.

Ewa.

F
[

ef WIN DS OB. 67

Eva. Come, will this Wood take fire?

Eal. Oh, oh, oh.

2uic. Corrupt, corrupt, and tainted in Deſire 3
About him, Fairies, ſing a ſcornful Rhime,
And as you trip, ſtill pinch him to your time.

The SONG.

Fie on fimple Phantaſy : Fie on Luft and Luxury:

Luft is but a bloody Fire, kindled with unchaſte diſire,
Fed in Heart whoſe Flames aſpire, :

A. Thoughts do blow them higher and higher.

Pinch him, Fairies, mutually : pinch him for his Villany :
Pinch him, and burn him, and turn him about,
'Till Candles, and Star-light, and Moon. ſbi ne be cut.

[He offers to run out

Enter Page, Ford, &c. They lay hold of him.

Page. Nay,donot fly,I think we have watch'd you now ?
Will none but Herne the Hunter ſerve your turn ?

Mrs. Page. pray you, come; hold up the Jc{t no higher.
Now, good Sir John, how like you Windſor Wives?

See you theſe Husbands ? Do not theſe fair yoaks
Become the Foreſt better than the 'Town ?

Ford. Now, Sir, who's a Cuckold now ?

Maſter Brook, Falftaff”s a Knave a cuckoldly Knave,
Here are his horns, Maſter Brook.

And, Maſter Brook he hath enjoy'd nothing of Ford's

But his Buck-basket, his Cudgel, and twenty Pounds of
money, which muſt be paid to Maſter Brat; his Horſes
are arreſted for it, Maſter Brook.

Mrs. Ford. Sir Fohn, we have had ill Luck ; we could
never meet, Iwill never take you for my Love again,
but I will always count you my Deer.

Fal. 1 do begin to perceive that I am made an Aſs.

Ford. Ay, and an Ox too : Both the Proofs are extant,

Fal. And theſe are not Fairies :

I was three or four times in the Thought they were not
Fairies, and yet the guiltineſs of my mind, the ſudden -
ſurprize of my Powers, drove the groſsneſs of the Fop-
pery into a received Belief, in deſpite of the Teeth of

all

68 The Merry Wives
all Rhime and Reaſon ; that they were Fairies. See now,

how Wit may be made a Jack-a lent, when 'tis upon ill Nat!
Employment.

| der

Ewa. Sir Jobn Falſtaff, ſerve Got, and leave your De.
ſires, and Fairies will not pinſe you. | If
Ferd. Well ſaid, Fairy Hugh. Ca

Ewa. And leave your Jealouſies too, I pray you.
Ford. I will never miſtruſt my Wiſe again, till thog
art able to woo her in good Eng/ih.

Fal. Have I laid my Brain in the Sun and dry'd it, that
it wants matter to prevent ſo groſs o'er-reaching as this ?
Am I ridden with a Veſꝶ Goat too? Shall I have a Cos
comb of Frize ! Tis time I were choak'd with a picee cf
toaſted Cheeſe. |
Eva. Seeſe is not good to give Putter; your Pelly is ail MW p
Putter. |

Fal. Seeſe and putter ? Have I liv'd to ſtand in the taunt-W- {,
of one that makes Fritters of Eugliſb? This is enough to M v
be the decay of Luft and late-walking through the Realm.

Mrs. Page. Why, Sir John, do you think, though we
would have thruſt Virtue out of our Hearts by the Head

t
and Shoulders, and have given our ſelves without ſcruple i a
to Hell, that ever the Devil could have made you our
Delight? ]

Ford. What, a Hodge-pudding ? A Bag of Flax ? 3

Mrs. Page. A puft man?

Page. And, cold, wither'd, and of intolerable Intrails? .

Ford. And one that is as flauderous as Satan?

Page, Old as poor as Fob? | |

Ford. And as wicked as his Wife?

Eva. And given to Fornications, and to Taverns, and
Sack, and Wine, metheglins, and to Drinkings, and
Swearings, and Starings, Pribbles and Prabbles ?

Fal. Well, I am your Theme; you have the Start cf
me, I am dejected; I am not able to anſwer the 7
Flannel, Ignorance it ſelf is a Plummet o'er me, uſe me
as you will.

Ford. Marry, Sir, well bring you to Wind/or to one Mr.
Brock, that you have cozen'd of money, to whom you
ſhould have been a Pander: Over and above that you have
ſufter'd, TI think, to repay that money will be a bitmg
Affliction. ;

Page

IF;

of WIN PDSOR. 69

Page. Vet be cheerful, Knight, thou ſhalt eat a Poſſet
o Night at my Houſe, where I will defire thee'to laugh
at my Wife, that now laughs at thee: Tell her, Mr. Slen-
der hath marry'd her Daughter.

Mrs. Page. Doctors doubt that;

If Aune Page be my Daughter, ſhe is by this Doctor
Cains's Wite.
Enter Slender.
Slen. What hoe! hoe! Father Page!
Page. Son? How now? How now, Son,
Have you diſpatch'd !

$/:n. Diſpatch'd ? I'll make the beſt in Gloucefterfaire
know on't ; would I were hang'd-la, elſe.

Page. Of what, Son ?

S$/:nd. I came yonder at Eaton to marry miſtreſs Aune
Page, and ſhe's a great lubberly Boy. If it had not been
ith Church, I would have ſwing'd him, or he ſhould have
ſwing'd me. If I did not think it had been Aune Page,
would I might never ſtir, and 'tis a Poſt- maſter's Boy.

Page. Upon my Life then you took the wrong.

Slen. What need you tell me that? I think ſo, when J
took a Boy for a Girl; If I had been marry'd to him, for
all he was in Woman's Apparel, I would not have had him.

Page. Why, this is your own Folly.

Did not I tell you how you ſhould know my Dayghter

by her Garments ?

Slen. ] went to her in white, and cry'd Mum, and ſhe
cry'd Budget, as Arne and I had appointed, and yet it
was not Anne, but a Poſt-maſter's Boy.

Mrs. Page. Good George, be not angry ; I knew of your
purpoſe, turn'd my Danghter into green, and inded ſhe
is now With the Doctor at the Deanary, and there mar-
ry'd. |

: | Enter Caius. |

Caius, Ver is miſtreſs Page, by gar, I am cozen'd I ha?
marry'd one Garſoon, a Boy; one Peſant, by gar. A
Boy; is it not Anne Page, by gar, Iam cozen'd.

Mrs. Page. Why? Did you take her in green

Caius. Ay, by gar, and 'tis a Boy; by gar, 1'1! raiſe all
Windſor. ;

Ford. This is ftrange ! who hath got the right Aune!

| Page.
3

—— — 2 ap. —

70 The Merry Wives
Page. My Heart miſgives me; here comes Mr. Fenty,
| Enter Fenton and Anne Page.

How now, Mr. Fenton,

Anne. Pardon, good Father; good my Mother, Pardon.

Page. Now Miſtreſs,

How chance you went not with Mr, Slender?

Mrs. Page. Why went you not with Mr. Doctor, maid ?
Fent. Youdo amaze her. Hear the Truth of it.
You would have marry'd her moſt ſhamefully.

Where there was no proportion held in Love :
The Truth is, ſhe and I, long ſince contracted,
Are now ſo ſure that nothing can diſſolve us.
Th' Offence is holy that ſhe hath committed,
And this Deceit loſes the name of Craft, P
Of Diſobedience, or unduteous Title ;

Since therein ſhe doth evitate and ſhun

A thouſand irreligious curſed Hours |

Which forced marriage would have brought upon her,
Ford. Stand not amaz'd, here is no Remedy,

In Love, the Heavens themſalves do guide the State;

Money buys Lands, and Wives are ſold by Fate.

Fal. I am glad, tho* you have ta'en a ſpecial Stand to
ſtrike at me, that your Arrow hath glanc'd. |
Page. Well, what Remedy? Fenton, Heav'n give thee
oy ?

ws cannot be eſchew'd, muſt be embrac'd,

Ewa. I will alſo dance, and eat Plumbs at your

Wedding. |

Fal. When Night-dogs run, all forts of Deer are chac'd.
Mrs. Page. Well, I will muſe no further, Mr. Fenton,
Heav'n give you many, many merry Days.
Good Husband, let us every one go home,
And laugh this Sport o'er by a Country Fire,
Sir Fohn and all.
Ford. Let it be fo, Sir ohm: -
To maſter Brook you yet ſhall hold your Word;
For he to Night, ſhall lie with miſtreſs Ford.
[Exeunt Omnes.

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ADVERTISEMENT.

Acob Tonſon, and the other Proprietors of
the Copies of Shakeſpear's Plays, deſign-
ing to finiſh their Edition now publiſhing

with all ſpeed, give Notice, That with the
laſt Play, they will deliver Gratis General Ti-
tles to each Volume of the whole Work, ſo
that each Play may be bound in its proper
Place: And alſo do give further Notice
That any Play of Shakeſpear*s that now is, or
hereafter ſhall be out of Print, will be Re-
printed without delay. So that all Gentlemen
who have bought theſe Plays ſhall not be diſ-
appointed, but may depend on having their
Sets compleated. |

N. B. Whereas one R. Walker has propoſed
to Pirate all Shakeſpear”s Play but through
Jenorance of what Plays are Shakeſpear's, did,
in ſeveral Advertiſements propoſato print Oz Di-
pus KINO or THEB BS, as one of Shakeſpear's
Plays; and has ſince printed TaTz's KING

Lr AR inſtead of Shakeſpear's, and in that and

HamMLET has omitted almoſt one half of the
Genuine Editions) printed by Tonſon and Pro-
prietors. The World will therefore judge how
litely they are to have a compleat Collection of
Shakeſpear*s Plays from the ſaid R. Walker,

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— ——

7.5

MEASURE

MEASURE.

By Mr. WILLIAM SHAKESPEAR.

LOND ON;

Printed for J. ToNnsoN, and the reſt of the
PROPR IETORS; and old by the Bookſellers
of London and Weſtminſter.

'MDCCXXXIV.

1
7

* an

HEREAS R. Walker, and

V \ his Accomplices, have printed
and publiſhed ſeveral of Shake-

ſpear's Plays, and, to ſcreen their innu-
merable Errors, advertiſe, that they are
printed as they are ated; and indu-
ſtriouſly report, that the ſaid Plays are
printed from Copies made uſe of at the
Theatres: I therefore declare, in Juſ-
tice to the Proprietors, whoſe Right is
IJ. baſely invaded, as well as in defence of
my ſelf, that no Perſon ever had, di-
rectly, or indirectly, from me any ſuch
Copy or Copies; neither would I be ac-

J ceſſary, on any Account, to the impo-
ſing on the Publick ſuch uſeleſs, pirated

and maimed Editions, as are publiſhed

by the ſaid R. Walker.

W.CutTwoonp,
Prompter to his Majeſty's
Company of Comedians
at the Theatre Royal i
Drury-Lane. |

A 2

Dramatis Perſons.

VINCENTIO, Duke of Vienna.
Angelo, Lord Deputy in * Duke's abſence. | .
An ancient Lord, join 4 wi ;

dene, „ earn ft vil Angelo in the

Claudio, 4 young gentleman, He

Lucio, à fantaſtick.

Two Gentlemen. 3
Varrius, a gentleman, ſervant to the Duke,

Provoſt. |

1 1 : two Friars.
A Fuſtice.

Elbow, a ſimple Conſtable.
Froth, 4 Pry Gentleman.

Clown, Servant to Mrs. Over-don,
Abhorſon, an executioner.
Barnardine, 4 diſſolute priſoner.

Iſabella, ſer to Claudio.
Marina, betrothed to Angelo.

dee beloved of Claudio.
Franciſca, à Nun.

Miſtreſs Over - don, 4 bamd.

Guards, Officers, and other Attendants,

S C E N E, Vienna,

aasee OY WERE Ong |

EI

ö
e

er
SCENE, tbe Duke's PALACE,

Enter Duke, Eſcalus, and Lords.

Dok.
se SscALUSs.—
Eſcal. My Lord.
* , Of Government the properties t'un-
7 fo
Would ſeem in me baffect ſpeech and dif-
courſe.
Since I am not to know, that your own Science
Exceeds, inthat, the liſts of all advice
My ftrength can give you: then no more remains:
Put that to your Fo ufficiency, as your worth is able,
And let them work. The nature of our Peoples
Our city's inſtitutions, and the terms

Of common juſtiee, y'are as pregnant in,

As art and practice hath enriched any

That we remember. There is our Commiſſion,

From which we would not have you warp. Call hither,

I fay, bid come before us Angelo:

What figure of us, think you, he will bear?

For you muſt know, we have with ſpecial ſoul

Elected 22 our Abſence to ſupply; |
A3 Lent

|

— =
m— ___ — — | Va 2—e—y—„—„-—
- . Ae o—— CO a.

Proceeded to you; therefore take your honours,

6 MEASUREfor MEASURE,

Lent him our Terror, dreſt him with our Leye ;
And giv'n our Deputation all the organs
Of our own Power: ſay, what think you of it?
Eſcal. If any in Vienna be of worth |
To undergo ſuch ample grace and honour, |
It is Lord Angelo. | |

Enter Angelo. |

Duke Look, where he comes!
Ang. Always obedient to your Grace's will,
I come to know your pleaſure.
Duke. Angelo,
There is a kiad of character in thy life,
That te th'obſer ver doth thy hiſtory |
Fully unfo'd : thy ſelf and thy belongings
Are not thine own ſo proper, as to waſte
Thy ſelf upon thy virtues; they on thee.
Heav'n doth with us, as we with torches do,
Not light them for themſelves: for if our virtues «
Did not go ſorth of us, 'twere all alike
As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch;
Bur to fine iſſues: nor Nature never lends
The ſmalleſt ſcruple of her excellence,
But, like a thrifry Goddeſs, ſhe determines -
Her {ſelf the glory of a creditor,
Both thanks, and uſe. But I do bend my ſpeech
To one that can my part in him advertiſe ;
Hold therefore, Angelo :
Ta our Remove, be thou at full our ſelf.
Mortality and Mercy in Vienna
Live in thy tongue and heart: old Eſcalus,
Though firſt in queſtion, is thy Secondary,
Take thy Commiſſion. | |
Ang. Now, good my Lord,
Ler there be ſome more teſt made ofmy metal,
Before ſo noble and fo great a figure
Be ſtampt upon it. |
Duke. Come, no more evaſion : 1
We have with a prepar'd and leaven'd choice

wy #,.,0, 0 dy ed oe #4 ca

td = Wim i) wal

Our

2

MEASURE for MEASURE. 7

Our haſtefrom hence is of ſo quick condition,
That it prefers it ſelf, and leaves unqueſtion'd

Matters of needful value. We ſhall write to you,

As time and our concergings ſhall importune,
How it goes with us; and do look to know
What doth befall you here. So, fare you well.
To th* hopeful execution do l leave you

Of your Commiſſions. |

Ang. Yet give me leave, my Lord,

That we may bring you ſomething on the way.

Duke. My haſte may not admit it;

Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do

With any ſeruple; your Scope is as mine own,
Soto inforce, or qualify the Laws,

As to your ſoul ſeems good. Give me your hand;
Ill privily away. I love the people;

But do not liketo ſtage me to their eyes: .
Though it do well, I do not reliſh well |
Their loud applauſe, and Ave's vehement:

Nor do I think the man of ſafe diſcretion,

That does affect it. Once more, fare you well.

Ang. The heav'ns give ſafety to your purpoſes !

. Eſcal. Lead forth, and bring you back in happineſs !
Duke. 1 thank you, fare you well. [ Exit.
Eſcal. I ſhall deſire you, Sir, to give me leave

To have free ſpeech with you ; and it concerns me
Tolook into the bottom of my Place :
A pow'r I have, but of what ſtrength and nature
I am not yet inſtructed.

Ang. Tis ſo with me: let us withdraw together,
And we may ſoon our ſatisfaction have |
Touching that point.

Eſcal. I'll wait upon your Honour. [Exenit.

S CE N E, the Street.

Enter Lucio, and two gentlemen.

Lucio. T F the Duke, with the other Dukes, come not
to compoſition with the King of Hungary,
why, then all the Dukes fall upon the King.

A 4 1 Gent,

8 MEASURE for MEASURE.

1 Gent. Heav'n grant us its peace, but not the King
of Hungary's!

2 Gent. Amen. |

Lucio. Thou conclud'ſt like the ſanctimonious Pirate,
that went to ſea with the ten Commandments, but
ſcrap'd one out of the Table.

2 Gent. Thou ſhalt not ſteal.

Lucio. Ay, that heraz'd.

Gent. Why, twas a Commandment to command
the captain and all the reſt from their functions; they
put forth to ſteal ; there's not a ſoldier of us all, that, in
the thankſgiving before meat, do reliſh the petition well
that prays for peace.

2 Gent. I never heard any ſoldier diſlike it.

Lucio. I believe thee: for, I think, thou never waſt
where grace was ſaid.

2 Gent, No! a dozen times at leaſt,

1 Gent. What? in meeter?

Lucio. In any proportion, or in any language.

1 Gent, I think, or in any religion.

Lucio. Ay, why not? grace is grace, deſpight of a!
controverſie; as for example, thou thy ſelf art a wicked
v.llain, deſpight of all grace. :

1 Gent. Well; there went but a pair of ſheers be-
tween us. |

Lucio. 1 grant; as there may between the liſts and
the velvet. Thou art the liſt.

1 Gent. And thou the velvet; thou art good velvet;
thou'rt a three-pil'd piece, I warrant thee: I had as
lief be a liſt of an Engliſh kerſey, as be pil'd, as thou
art pil'd,. for a French velvet. Do I ſpeak feelingly
now ?

Lucio. I think, thou doſt; and, indeed, with moſt
Painful feeling of thy ſpeech : I will, out of thine own
. confeſſion, learn to begin thy health; but, whilſt I live,
forget todrink after thee.

1 Gent. I think, I have done my ſelf wrong, have !
not? |

2 Gent. Yes, that thou haſt; whether thou art taint -
ed, or free, : Lucio.

M EASURE for MEASURE. 9

Lucio. Behold, behold, where madam Mitigation comes*

1 Gent, I have purchas'd as many diſeaſes under her
roof, as come to

2 Gent. To what, I pray?

1 Gent. Judge.

2 Gent. To three thouſand dollars a year.

1 Gent. Ay, and more.

Lucio. A French crown more.

1 Gent. Thou art always figuring diſeaſes in me; but
thou 'art full of error; I am ſound,

Lucio. Nay, not as one would ſay healthy; but ſo
ſound, as things that are hollow; thy bones are hollow;
impicty hath made a feaſt of thee.

Enter Bawd,

1 Gent. How now, which of your hips has the moſt
profound ſciatica?

Bawd, Well, well; there's one yonder arreſted, and
carry'd to priſon, was worth five thouſand of you all.

1 Gent, Who's that, I pr'ythee?

Bawd. Marry, Sir, that's Claudio; Signior Claudio.

1 Gent. Claudio to priſon? 'tis not fo.

Bawd. Nay, but I know, tis ſo; I ſaw him arreſted;
ſaw him carry'd away; and, which is more, within
theſe three days his head is to be chopt off,

Lucio. Bur, after all this fooling, I would not have
it ſo: art thou ſure of this?

Bawd., I am too lure of it; and it is for getting madam
Fulietta with child. x

Lucio. Believe me, this may be; he promiſe] to meet
me two hours ſince, and he was ever preciſe in promiſe-
keeping. .

2 Gent. Beſides, you know, ir draws ſomething near

to the ſpeech we had to ſuch a purpoſe.

1 Gene, But moſt of all agreeing with the Proclama-
tion. |
Lucio. Away, let's go learn the truth of it. ¶ Exeunt.

Manet Bawd.
Bawd. Thus, what with the war, what with the
ſwear, what with the gallows, and what with pover-
as tj.

10 MEASUREfor MEASURE.

ty, I am cuſtom-ſhrunk. - How now? what's the
news with you? |

Enter Clowa.

Clown. Yonder man is carry'd to priſon.

Bawd. Well ; what has hedone ?

Clown. A woman.

Band. But what's his Offence ?
"Clown, Groping for trouts ina peculiar river.

Bawd. What? is there a maid with child by him?

Clown. No; but there's a woman with maid by him.
You have not heard of the Proclamation, have you?

Bawd, What Proclamation, Man?

Clown All houſes in the ſuburbs of Vienna muſt be
pluck'd down. |

Bawd. And what ſhall become of thoſe in the city ?

Clown. They ſhall ſtand for ſeed; they had gone
down too, but that a wiſe burger put in for them.

Ba wd. But ſhall all our houſes of reſort in the ſub-
urbs be pull'd down?

Clown. To the ground, miſtreſs.

Bawd. Why, hete's a change, indeed, in the com-
mon wealth; what ſhall become of me?

Clown. Come, fear not you; good counſellors lack
no clients; though you change your place, you need
not change your trade: I'll be your tapſter ſtill. Cou-
rage, there will be pity taken on you; you that have
worn your eyes almoſt out in the ſervice, you will be

conſidered.
Bard. What's to do here, Thomas Taper? let's
withdraw. |

Clown. Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the Pro-
voſt to priſon; and there's Madam Juliet. 0

[ Ex. Bawd and Clown.

Enter Provoſt, Claudio, Juliet, and Officers. Lucio
and two Gentlemen.

Claud. Fellow, why doſt thou ſhow me thus to th'
world ?
Bear me to priſon, where I am committed.

Prov.

the

MEASURE for MEASURE, 17

Prov. I do it notin evil diſpoſition,
But from lord Angels by ſpecial charge.

Claud. Thus can the Demi-god, Authority,
Make us pay down, for our oftence, by weight
The words of heaven; on whom it will, it wil;
On whom it will not, ſo; yet ſtill *tis juſt,

Lucio. Why how now, Claudio ? whence comes

this reſtraint ?

Claud. From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty;
As ſurfeit is the father of much faſt,

So every ſcope by th' immod'rate uſe

Turns to reſtraint: our natures do purſue,
Like rats that raven down their proper bane,
A thirſty evil ; and when we drink, we die.

Lucio. If I could ſpeak fo wiſely under an arreſt, I
would ſend for certain of my creditors; and yet, to
fay the truth, I had as lief have the foppery of free-
dom, as the morality of impriſonment: what's thy
offence, Claudio? | |

Claud. What, but to ſpeak of, wouid offend again.

Lucio. What is't, murder ?

Claud. No.

Lucio. Letchery ?

Claud. Call it fo.

Prov. Away, Sir, you muſt go.

Claud. One word, good friend. Lucio, a word

with you. |

Lucio, A hundred; if they'll do you any good: is
letchery ſo look'd after ?

Claud. Thus ſtands it with me; upon a true contract
I got poſſeſſion of Fulietta's bed,

(You know the lady,) ſhe is faſt my wife;

Save that we dothe denunciation lack

Of outward order. This we came not to,

Only for propagation of a dower

Remaining in the coffer of her friends ;

From whom we though: it meet to hide our love,
Till time had made them for us. But it chances,
The ſtcalth of our moſt mutual entertainment;

With character too groſs, is writ on Taller,
Ius io.

12 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Incio, With child, perhaps?

Claud. Unhappily, even ſo.

And the new oouy now for the Duke,
(Whether it be the fault, and glimpſe, of newneſs;
Or whether that the body publick be

A horſe whereon the Governor doth ride,

Who, newly in the ſeat, that it may know

He can command, lets it ſtrait feel the ſpur ;
Whether the tyranny be in his Place,

Or in his eminence that fills it up,

] ſtagger in: but this new Governor

Aw me all th' enrolled penalties,

Which have, like unſcour'd armour, hung by th' wall
So long, that nineteen Zodiacks have gone round,
And none of them been worn; and, for a name,
Now puts the drowſie and neglected A&
Freſhly on me: tis, ſurely, for a name.

Lucie. I warrant, it is; and thy head ſtands fe tickle on
thy ſhoulders, that a milk-maid, if ſhe be in love, may
ſigh it off. Send after the Duke, and appeal to him.

Claud. I have done fo, but he's not to — found.

I pr'ythee, Lucio, do me this kind ſervice:

This day my Sifter ſhould the Cloiſter enter,

And there receive her Approbation.

Acquaint her with the danger of my tate,

Implore her, in my voice, that ſhe make friends
To the ſtri& Deputy; bid herſelf aſſay him;

I have great hope in that; for in her youth

There is a prone and ſpeechleſs dialect, 8
Such as moves men! beſide, ſhe hath proſp'rous art
When ſhe will play with reaſon and diſcourſe,

And well ſhe can perſuade. |

Lucio. I pray, ſhe may; as well for the encouragement
of the like, which elſe would ſtand under grievous im-
poſition ; as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would
be ſorry ſhould be thus foohſhly loſt at a game of tick-
tack. I'll to her.

Claud. I thank you, good friend Lucio.

Lucio. Within two hours..

Claud. Come, officer, away, [Exeunt.
SCENE

lt. wo v0

MEASURE for MEASURE, 13

SCENE, A MoxAsT ERV.
Enter Duke, and Friar Thomas.

Duke. O; holy father, throw away that thought;
Believe not that the dribbling dart of love
Can pierce a compleat boſom : why Idefire thee
To give me ſecret harbour, hath a purpoſe
More grave, and wrinkled, than the aims and ends
Of burning youth
Fri. May your Grace ſpeak of it?
Duke. My holy Sir, none better knows than you,
How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd; |
And held in idle price to haunt Aſſemblies,
Where youth, and coſt, and witleſs bravery keeps.
I have deliver'd to lord Angelo
(A man of ſtricture and firm abſtinence)
My abſolute Pow'r and Place here in Vienna;
And he ſuppoſes me travell'd to Poland;
For ſo I've ſtrew'd it in the common ear,
And ſo it is receiv'd: now, pious Sir,
You will demand of me, why I do this?
Fri. Gladly, my lord.
Duke. We have ſtrict Statutes and moſt binding Laws,
(The needful bits and curbs for headſtrong Steeds,)
Which for theſe nineteen years we have let ſleep ;
Even like an o'er-grown lionin a cave,
That goes not out to prey: now, as fond fathers
Having bound up the threat'ning twigs of birch,
Oaly to ſtick it in their children's fight,
For terror, not to uſe; in time therod
Becomes more mock'd, than fear'd: ſo our Decrees,
Dead to inflict ion, to themſelves are dead;
And Liberty plucks Juſtice by the noſe; _
The baby beats the nurſe, and quite athwart
Goes all decorum.
Fri. It reſted in your Grace
T'unlooſt this ty d- up juſtice, when you pleas d:
And it in you more dreadful would have ſeem' d,
Than in lord. Angels, :
Deke,

14 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Duke. I do fear, too dreadful.
Sith 'twas my fault to give the people ſcope,
Twould be my tyranny to ſtrike, and gall them,
For what I bid them do. For we bid this be done,
When evil deeds-have their permiſſive paſs, _
And not the puniſhment. Therefore, indeed, my father,
I have on Angelo impos'd tho office,
Who may in th ambuſh of my name ſtrike home,
And yet, my nature never in the fight
So do in ſlander: And to behold his ſway,
I will, as twere a Brother of your Order, .
Viſit both Prince and People; therefore pr'ythee,
Supply me with the habit, and inſtruct me
How I may formally in perſon bear,
Like a true Friar. More reafons for this action
At our more leiſure ſhall I render you ;
Only, this one: — Lord Angelo is preciſe;
Stands at a guard with envy; ſcarce conſeſſes
That his blood flows, or that his appetite
Is more to bread than ſtone: hence ſhall we ſee,
If Power change purpoſe, what our Seemers be. Exe.

SCENE, A Nux N ER.
Enter Iſabella and Franciſca.

Jab. N D have you Nuns no farther privileges?
Nun. Are not theſe large enough?

Jab. Yes, truly; I ſpeak not, as deſiring more;
But rather wiſhing a more ſtrict reſtraint 8
Upon the ſiſter- hood, the votariſts of Saint Clare.

Lucio. ¶ Mithin.] Hoa! Peace be in this place!

Jab. Who's that, which calls?

Nun. It is a man's voice: gentle Iſabella,

Turn you the key, and know his bu ſineſs of him;
You may; I may not; you are yet unſworn: |
When you have vow'd, you muſt not ſpeak with men,
But in the preſence of the Prioreſs;

Then, if you ſpeak, you myſt not ſhew your face;
Or, if you ſhew your face, you muſt not ſpeak,

He

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MEASURE for MEASURE. 15

He calls again; I pray you, anſwer him. [EExit. Franc,
Jab. Peace and proſperity! who is't that calls?

Enter Lucio.

Lucio. Hail, virgin, (if you be) as thoſe cheek-roſes
Proclaim you are no leſs; can you ſo ſtead me,
As bring me tothe fight of I/abella, f
A novice of this place, and the fair ſiſter
To her unhappy brother Claudio?

Jab. Why her unhappy brother? let me ask
The rather, for I now muſt make you know
I am that I/abella, and bis ſiſter. |

Lucio. Gentle and fair, your brother kindly greets you;
Not to be weary with you, he's in priſon.

Iſab. Wo me! for what?

Lucio. For that, which, if my ſelf might be his judge,
He ſhould receive his puniſhment in thanks;
He hath got his friend with child.

Jab. Sir, make me not your ſtory. |

Lucio. Tis true: I would not (tho''tis my familiar fin
With maids to ſeem the lapwing, and to jeſt,
Tongue far from heart) play with all virgins ſo.
hold you as a thing en-sky'd, and fainted;
By your renouncement, an im mortal Spirit;

And to be talk 'd with in ſincerity,

As with a Saint.
Iſab. You do blaſpheme the good, in mocking me.
Lucio. Do not believe it. Fewnels, and truth, tis thus;
Your brother and his lover having embrac'd,
As thoſe that feed grow full, as bloſſoming time
That from the ſeedneſs the bare fallow brings
To teeming foyſon; ſo her plenteous womb

- Expreſleth his full tilth and husbandry.

Jab. Some one with child by him?--my couſin Fuliet ?
Lucio. Is ſhe your couſin?
Jab. Adoptedly, as ſchool-maids change their names,
By vain, tho' apt, affection.
Lucio. She it is. |
Jab. O, let him marry her,
Lucio. This is the point.
The

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16 MEASURE for MEASURE.

The Duke is very ſtrangely gone from hence;
Bore many gentlemen, my ſelf being one,

In hand and hope of action; but we learn,
By thoſe that know the very nerves of State,
His Givings out were of an infinite diſtance
From his true · meant Deſign, Upon his place,
And with full line of bis authority, |
Governs lord Angels; a man whoſe blood

Is very ſhnow-broth; one who never feels
The wanton ſtings and motions of the ſenſe;
But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge

With profits of the mind, ſtudy and faſt.

He, (co give fear to uſe and liberty,
Which have long time run by the hideous law,

As mice by lyons;) hath-pick'd out an act,
Under whoſe heavy ſenſe your brother's lite

Falls into forfeit ; he arreſts him on it;
And follows cloſe the rigor of the Statute,
To make him zu example; all hope's gone,
Unleſs you have the grace by your fair prayer
To ſoften Angelo; and that's my pith of buſineſs
*Twixt you and your poor brother,

I/ab. Doth he fo

| Seek for his life ?

Lucio. H as cenſur'd him already;
And, as I hear, the Provoſt bath a Warrant
For's execution.

Iſab. Alas! what poor
Ability's in me, to do him good?

Lucio. Athy the power you have.

Jab. My power? Alaſs! I doubt.

Lucio. Our doubts are traitors;
And make us loſe the good, we oft might win,
By fearing to attempt. Go to lord Angelo,
And let him learn to know, when maidens ſue,

Men give like Gods; but when they weep and kneel,

All their petitions are as truly theirs,
As they themſelves would owe them.
Jab. I'll ſee what I can do.
Lucio. But, ſpeedily,

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MEASURE for MEASURE. 17

Vab. I will about it ſtrait ; |
Ne longer ſtaying, but to give the mother
Notice of my affair. I humbly thank you ;
Commend me to my brother: ſoon at night
I'll ſend him certain word of my ſucceſs.
Lucio. 1 take my leave of you.
I/ab. Good Sir, adieu. [ Exeunt.

AT
SCENE, The PALAck.

Enter Angelo, Eſcalus, 4 Juſtice, and Attendants.

ANGE L o.

E muſt not make a ſcare-crow of the law,
setting it up to fear the birds of prey,

And let it keep one ſhape, till cuſtom
kx make it
Their pearch, and not their terror.
Eſcal. Ay, but yet |
Let us be keen, and rather cut a little,
Than fall, and bruiſe to death. Alas! this gentleman;
Whom I would fave, had a moſt noble father ;
Let but your honour know,
Whom!] believe to be moſt ſtrait in virtue,
That, in the working of your own affetions,
Had time coher'd with place, or place with wiſhing,
Or that the reſo/ute acting of your blood
Could haveattain'd th elfe of your own purpoſe;
Whether you had not ſometime in your life
Err'd in this point, which now you cenſure him,
And pull'd the law upon you.
Ang. Tis one thing to be tempted, Eſcalus,
Another thing to fall. I not deny,
Tae ju: y, paſſing on the priſoner's life,
May in the ſworn twelve have a thief or two,

Guile

18 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Guiltier than him they try; whar's open made to juſtice,
That juſtice ſeizes on. What know the laws,

T hat thieves do paſs on thieves? 'ris very pregnant,
The jewel that we find, we ſtoop and tak'r, |
Becauſe we ſee it ; but what we do not ſee,

We tread upon, and never think of it.

You may not ſo extenuate his offence,

For I have had ſuch faults; but rather tell me,
When I, that cenſure him, do ſò offeqd,

Ler mine own judgment pattern out my death,
And nothing come in partial. Sir, he muſt die.

Enter Provoſt.

Eſcab. Be't, as your Wiſdom will,

Ang. Where is the Proves?

Prov. Here, if it like your Honour.

Ang. See, that Claudio
Be executed by nine to-morrow morning.
Bring him his Confeſſor, let him be prepar'd ; |
For that's the utmoſt of his pilgrimage. — [Exit Prov.

Eſcal. Well, heav'n forgive him ! and forgive us all:
Some riſe by ſin, and ſome by virtue fall: |
Some run through brakes of vice, and anſwer none;
And ſome condemned for a fault alone.

Enter Elbow, Froth, Clowyn, and Officers.
Elb. Come, bring them away; if theſe be good peo-

ple in a common-weal, that do nothing but uſe their

abuſes in common houſes, I know no law; bring them
away. |

„ + How now, Sir, what's your name? and what's
the matter ?

Elb. If it pleaſe your Honour, I am the poor Duke's
conſtable, and my name is Elbow; I do lean upon juſ-
tice, Sir, and do bring in here before your good Ho-
nour two notorious benefactors.

Ang. Benefactors? well; what benefactors are they?
are they not malefactors?

EI. If it pleaſe your Henour, I know not well what
they are; but preciſe villains they are, that I am ſure bad.

.
1 2 — i. a axrvQ t© a

MEASURE for MEASURE. 19
and void of all profanation in the world, that good chri-

ſtians ought to have.

Eſcal. This comes off well; here's a wiſe Officer.

Ang. Goto: what quality are they of? Elbow is your
name? Why doſt thou not ſpeak, Elbow ?

Clown. He cannot, Sir; he's out at elbow.

Ang. What are you, Sir?

Elb. He, Sir? a tapſter, Sir; parcel-bawd; one that
ſerves a bad woman; whoſe houſe, Sir, was, as they fay,
pluckt down in the ſuburbs; and now ſhe profeſſes a hot-
houſe; which, I think, is a very ill houſe too.

Eſcal. How know you that?

Elb. My wife, Sir, whom I deteſt before heav'n and
your Honour,

Eſcal. How! thy wife?

Elb. Ay, Sir; whom, I thank heav'n, is an honeſt

woman;

E/cal. Doſt thou deteſt her therefore?

Elb. I fay, Sir, I will deteſt my ſelf alſo, as well as
ſhe, that this houſe, if it be not a bawd's houſe, it is
pity of her life, for it is a naughty houſe.

Eſcal. How doſt thou know thar, conſtable?

Elb. Marry, Sir, by my wife; who, if ſhe had been
a woman cardinally given, might have been accuſed in
fornication, adultery, and all uncleanneſs there.

Eſcal. By the woman's means?

Elb. Ay, Sir, by miſtreſs Over- don's means; but as
ſhe ſpir in his face, ſo ſhe defy'd him.

Clown. Sir, if it pleaſe your Honour, this is not ſo.

Elb. Prove it before theſe varlets here, thou honou-
rable man, prove it.

Eſcal. Do you hear, how he miſplaces?

Clown. Sir, ſhe came in great with child; and long -
ing (ſaving your Honour's reverence) for ſtew'd prunes;
Sir, we had but two in the houſe, which at that very
diſtant time ſtood, as ir were, in a fruit-diſh, a diſh
of ſome three-pence, (your Honours have ſeen ſuch

diſhes; they are not China diſhes, but very good i

diſhes.)
Eſcal, Go to, go to; no matter for the diſh, Sir.

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Clown, No, indeed, Sir, not of a pin ; you are there-
in in the right: but to the point; as I fay, this miſ-
treſs Elbow, being, as I fay, with child, and being
ou belly'd, and longing, as I ſaid. for prunes ; and

aving but two in the diſh, as I faid; maſter Froth
here, this very man, having eaten the reſt, as I ſaid,
and, as I ſay, paying for them very honeſtly ; for as
you know, malter Froth, I could not give you three-
pence again. |

Froth, No, indeed, |

Clown. Very well; you being then, if you be re-
membred, cracking the ſtones of the foreſaid prunes.

Froth. Ay, ſo I did, indeed. | |

Clown, Why, very well; I telling you then, if you
be remembred, that ſuch a one, and ſuch a ene, were
paſt cure of the thing you wot of, unleſs they kept very
good diet, as I told you.

Froth. All this is true.

Clown, Why, very well then.

Eſcal. Come, you are a tedious fool ; to the purpoſe:
What was done to Elbow's wife, that he hath cauſe to
complain of? come to what was done to her.

. Sir, your Honour cannot come. to that yer.

Eſcal. No, Sir, nor I mean it not.

Clown. Sir, but you ſhall come to it, by your Ho-
nour's leave: and I beſeech you, look into maſter Froth
here, Sir, a man of fourſcore pound a year; whole fa-
ther dy'd at Hallowmas. Was t not at Hallowmas, maſ-
ter Froth? |

Froth. All-hollandeve. |

Clown. Why, very well; I hope here be truths. He,
Sir, ſitting, as I ſay, in a lower chair, Sir; cwas in
the bunch of grapes, where, indeed, you have a delight
to fit, have you not?

Froth. I have fo, becauſe. it is an open room, and
good for winter, |

Clown. Why, very well then; I hope here be truths,

Ang. This will laſt out a night in Kuſſia,

When nights are longeſt there, I'll take my leave, hs
| A

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2

MEASURE for MEASURE. 21

And leave you to the hearing of the cauſe;
Hoping, you'll find goed cauſe to whip them all.
Eſcal. I chink no leſs. Good-morrow to your Lord-
ſhip. [Exit Angelo.
Now, Sir, come on: what was done to Elbow's wife,
once more?

Clown. Once, Sir ? there was nothing done to her
once.

Elb. I beſeech you, Sir, ask him what this man did
to my wife.

Clown. I beſeech your Honour, ask me.

Eſcal. Well, Sir, what did this gentleman to her?

Clown. I beſeech you, Sir, look in this gentle man's
face; good maſter Frot h, look upon his Honour; tis
for a good purpoſe ; doth your Honour mark his face?

Eſcal. Ay, Sir, very well,

Clown. Nay, I beſcech you, mark it well.

Efeal. Well, I do ſo. |

Clown. Doth your Honour ſee any harm in his face?

Eſcal. Why, no. |

Clown. I'll be 1 upon a book, his face is the
worſt thing about him: good then, if his face be the
worſt thing about him, how could maſter Froth do
the conſtable's wife any harm? I would know that of
your Honour. X

Eſcal. He's in the right; conſtable, what fay you
to it?

Elb. Firſt, an it like you, the houſe is a reſpected
houſe ; next, this is a reſpected fellow ; and his miſ-
treſs is a reſpected woman.

Clown. By this hand, Sir, his wife is a more reſpec-

ted perſon than any of us all.

Elb. Varler, thou lyeſt; thou lyeſt, wicked varlet ;
the time is yet to come, that ſhe was ever reſpected
with man, woman, or child,

Clown. Sir, ſhe was reſpected with him before he
marry'd with her.

Eſcal. Which is the wiſer here? Fuſtice, or Iniquity ?--
Is this true?

Els. O thou caitiff ! O thou varlet! O thou wicked
Hannibal! J reſpected with her, before I was marry d

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to her? If ever I was reſpected with her, or ſhe with
me, let not your Worſhip. think me the poor Duke's
officer; prove this, thou wicked Hannibal, or I'll have
mine action of battery on thee. |

Eſcal. If he took you a box o'th' ear, you might have
your action of ſlander too.

Elb. Marry, I thank your good Worſhip for't : what
is't your Worſhip's — I ſhall do with this wicked
caitiff?

Eſcal. Truly, officer, becauſe he hath ſome offences
in him, that thou wouldſt diſcover if thou couldſt, let
him continue in his courſes, 'till thou know'ſt What
they are. mY

Elb. Marry, I thank your Worſhip for it; thou ſeeſt,
thou wicked varlet now, what's come upon thee. Thou
art to continue now, thou varlet ; thou art to con-
tinue.

Eſcal. Where were you born, friend? [To Froth.
Firoth. Here in Vienna, Sir.

Eſcal. Are you of fourſcore pounds a year?

Froth. Yes, and't pleaſe you, Sir.
bf Eſcal. So. W hat trade are you of, Sir ?

[To the Clown,

Clown. A tapſter, a poor widow's tapſter.

; Efeal. Your miſtreſs's name?

Clown, Miſtreſs Over-don,

Eſcal. Hath ſhe had any more than one husband?

Clown. Nine, Sir: Over-don by the laſt. |

Eſcal. Nine? Come hither to me, maſter Froth: maſ-
ter Froth, I would not have you acquainted with tap-
ſters ; they will draw you, maſter Froth, and you will
hang them. Get you gone, and let me hear no more
of you.

roth. I thank your Worſhip ; for mine own part,
I never come into any room in a taphouſe, bur Fo
drawn in. |

Eſcal. Well; no more of it, maſter Froth ; farewell.

[Exit Froth.
Come you hither to me, maſter tapſter ; what's your
name, maſter tapſter ? | -

Clown.

'n.

MEASURE for MEASURE. 23

Clown, Pompey.

Eſcal. What elſe?

Clown. Bum, Sir.

Eſcal. Troth, and your bum is the greateſt thing a-
bout you; ſo that, in the beaſtlieſt ſenſe, you are Pom-
pey the Great. Pompey, you are partly a bad, Pompey,
how ſoever you colour it in being a tapſter; are you
not? come, tell me true, it ſhall be the better for you.

Clown. Truly, Sir, I am a poor fellow that would
live.

Eſcal. How would you live, Pompey? by being a
bawd ? what do you think of the trade, Pompey ? is it
a lawful trade?

Clown, If the law willallow it, Sir.

Eſcal. But the law will not allow ir, Pompey ; nor it
ſhall not be allowed in Vienna.

Clown. Does your worſhip mean to geld and ſplay
all the youth in the city?

Eſcal No, Pompey.

Clown. Truly, Sir, in my poor opinion, they will
to't then. If your Worſhip will take order for the
drabs and the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds.

Eſcal. There are pretty orders beginning, I can tell
you: it is but heading and hanging.

Clown. If you head and hang all that offend that way
but for ten years together, you'll be glad to give out a
Commiſſion for more heads: if this law hold in Vienna

ren years, I'll rent the faireſt houſe in it, after three

pence a Bay: if you live to ſee this come to pals, ſay,
Pompey told you ſo.
Eſcal. Thank you, good Pompey ; and, in requital of

your prophecy, hark you; I adviſe you, let me nor

find you before me again upon any complaint what-
ſoever ; no, not for dwelling where you do: If I do,
Pompey, I ſhall beat you to your tent, and prove a
ſhrewd Cæſar to you: in plain dealing, Pompey, I ſhall
_ you whipt : ſo for this time, Pompey, fare you
well.

Clown. I thank your Worſhip for your good counſel ;
but I ſhall follaw ir, as the fleſh and fortune ſhall bet-
ter determine. Whip

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24 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Whip me? no, no; let carman whip his jade;
The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade. ¶ Exit.
cal. Come hither to me, maſter Elbow; come hi-
ther, maſter conſtable ; how long have you been in this
place of conſtable? 1

Elb. Seven years and a half, Sir.

Eſcal. I thought, by your readineſs in the office, you
had continued in it ſome time: you ſay, ſeven years
rogether ? |

Els. And a half, Sir.

Eſcal. Alas! it hath been great pains to you; they
do you wrong to put you ſo oft upon't : are there not
men in your ward ſufficient to ſerve it ?

Elb. Faith, Sir, few of any wit in ſuch matters; as
they are choſen, they are glad to chuſe me for them.
I do it for ſome piece of money, and go through with
all. |

Eſcal. Look you, bring me in the names of ſome ſix
or ſeven, the moſt ſufficient of your pariſh.

Elb. To your Worſhip's houſe, Sir?

Eſcal. To my houſe ; fare you well. What's a clock,
think you? Exit Elbow,

uſt. Eleven, Sir,
Eſcal. I pray you, home to dinner with me.
Fuſt. I humbly thank you. |
Eſcal. It grieves me for the death of Claudio :
But there's no remedy.
Fuſt. Lord Angelo is ſevere.
Eſcal. It is but needful:
Mercy is not it ſelf, t hat oft looks fo ;
Pardon is ſtill the nurſe of ſecond woe:
But yet, poor Claudio! there's no remedy.
Come, Sir. [ Exeunt,
Enter Provoſt and a ſervant. x
Serv. He's hearing of a Cauſe ; he will come ſtraight:
T'll tell him of you. |
Prov, Pray you, do; I'll know
His pleaſure ; may be, he'll relent; alas! |
He hath but as offended in a dream:

All

ut.

MEASURE for MEASURE. 25

All ſects, all ages ſmack of this vice; and he
To dic for it!

Enter Angelo.

Ang. Now, what's the matter, Provoſt?

Prov. Is it your will, Claudio ſhall die to-morrow ?

Ang. Did not I tell thee, yea? hadſt thou not order?
Why doſt thou ask again ?

Prov. Leſt I might be too raſh,

Under your good correction, I have ſeen,
When, after execution, judgment hath
Repented o'er his doom.

Ang. Go to; let that be mine,

Do you your office, or give up your place,
And you ſhall well be ſpar'd.

Prov. I crave your pardon.

What ſhall be done, Sir, with the groaning Juliet?
She's very near her hour.

Ang, Diſpoſe of her
To ſome more fitting place, and that with ſpeed.

Serv. Here is the ſiſter of the man condemn'd,
Deſires acceſs to you.

Ang. Hath he a ſiſter ?

Prov. Ay, my good lord, a very virtuous maid,
And to be ſhortly of a ſiſter-hood,

If not already.

Ang. Well; let her be admitted, [Exit Servant.
See you, the fornicatreſs be remov'd; |
Let her have needful, but not laviſh, means ;

There ſhall be order for it.

Enter Lucio and Iſabella.

Prov, *Save your Honour.
Ang. Stay yet a while, -—-Y'are welcome; what's
your will ?

Jab. I am a woful ſuitor to your Honour,
Pleaſe but your Honour hear me.

Ang. Well; what's your ſuit ?

T/ab. There is a vice that moſt I do abhor,
And moſt defire ſhould = the blow of juſtice

+ * ah

—

26 MeASURE for MEASURE.

For which I would not plead, but that I muſt;

For which I muſt not plead, but that I am

At war, 'twixt will, and will not.

Ang. Well; the matter ? |

Tab. I have a brother is condemn'd to die ;

1 do beſeech you, let it be his fault,

And not my brother. |
Prov. Heav'n give thee moving graces !

Ang. Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it?
Why, every fault's condemn'd, &er it be done
Mine were the very cypher of a function,

To find the faults, whoſe fine ſtands in record,

And let go by the actor.

Jab. O juſt, but ſevere law !

J had a brother then ;—heav'n keep your Honour
Lucio. Give not o'er ſo: to him again, intreat him,

Kneel down before him: hang upon his gown:

You are too cold ; if you ſhould need a pin,

You could not with more tame a tongue deſire it. |

To him, I fay. ]
Jab. Muſt he needs die?

Ang. Maiden, no .

Jb. Yes; I do think, that you might pardon him;

And neither heav'n, nor man, grieve at the mercy. 1
A 4 I will not do'r. \
Jab. But can you if you would? \
Ang. Look, what I will nor, that I cannot do. 5
Jab. But might you do't, and do the world no wrong, Y

If fo your heart were touch'd with that remorſe, . 1

As mine is to him?

Ang. He's ſentenc'd; tis too late.

Lucio. You are too cold. | T

Jab. Too late? why, no; I, that do ſpeak a word, If
May call it back again : Well, believe this, 2

Le
Or
An

/

No ceremony that to Great ones longs,

Not the King's crown, nor the deputed ſword,

The marſhal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe,

Become them with one half ſo good a grace,

As mercy does: if he had been as you, Ar

And you as he, you would have ſlipt like him . Buy
ut

t

MEASURE for MEASURE. 27

But he, like you, would not have been ſo ſtern,
Ang. Pray you, be gone. |
Iſab. I wou'd to heav'n I had your Potency,
And you were Iſabel ; ſhould it then be thus?
No; I wonld tell what 'twere to be a judge,
And what a priſoner. |
Lucio. Ay, touch him ; there's the vein,
Ang. Your brother is a forfeit of the law,

Ja . Alas! alas! |
Why, all the ſouls that were, were forfeit once;
And he, that might the 'vantage beft have took,
Found out the remedy. How would you be,
If he, which is the top of Judgment, ſhould
But judge you, as you are? Oh, think on that;
And mercy then will breathe within your lips,
Like man new made.
Ang. Be you content, fair maid ;
It is the Law, not I, condemns your brother,
Were he my kinſman, brother, or my ſon,
It ſhould be thus with him; he dies to-morrovy,
Jab. To-morrow ? oh! that's ſudden, Spare him,
{pare him:
He's not prepar'd for death. Even for our kitchins

And you but waſte your words.

We kill the fowl, of ſeaſon ; ſhall we ſerve heav'n

With leſs reſpect, than we do minifter
To our groſs ſelves? good, good my lord, bethink you:
Who is it, that hath dy'd for this offence ?
There's many have committed it.

Lucio. Ay, well ſaid.

Ang. The Law hath not been dead, tho it hath ſlept:
Thoſe many had not dar'd to do that evil,

If the firſt man, that did th' Edict infringe,

Had anſwer'd for his deed, Now, *tis awake;
Takes note of what is done; and, like a Prophet,
Looks in a glaſs that ſhews what future evils,
Or new, or by remiſlneſs new conceiv'd,
And ſo in progreſs to be hatch'd and bora,
Are now to have no ſucceſſive degrees;
But here they live, to end.
B 2 | Jab.

28 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Jab. Vet ſhew ſome pity.

Ang. I ſhew it moſt of all, when I ſhew juſtice;
For then I pity thoſe, I do not know ;

Which a diſmits'd offence would after gaul;

And do him right, that, anſwering one foul wrong,
Lives not to act another. Be fatisfy'd ;

Your brother dies to-morrow ; be content.

I/ab. So you mult be the firſt, that gives this ſentence;
And he, that ſuffers: oh, tis excellent
To have a Giant's ſtrength; but it is tyrannous,

To uſe it like a Giant.

Lucio. That's well ſaid.

Jab. Could great men thunder
As Fove himſelf does, Fove would ne'er be quiet;
For every pelting, petty, officer
Would uſe his heav'n for thunder ;

Nothing but thunder: merciful heav'n !

Thou rather with thy ſharp, and ſulph'rous, bolt
Splir'ſt the unwedgeable and gnarled oak,

Than the ſoft myrtle: O, but man! proud man,
Dreſt in a little brief authority,

Moſt ignorant of what he's moſt aſſur'd,

His glally eſſence, like an angry ape,

Plays ſuch fantaftick rricks before high heav'n,

As makes the angels weep; who, with our ſpleens,
Would all themſelves laugh mortal.

Lucio. Oh, to him, to him, Wench ; he will relent ;
He's coming : I perceive'r,

Prov. Pray heav'n, ſhe win him !

Jab. We cannot weigh ovr brother with yourſelf:
Great men may jeſt with faints ; 'tis wit in them;
But, in the leſs, toul prophanation.

Lucio. Thou'rt right, girl; more o' that.

Jab. That in the Captain's but a cholerick word,
Which in the Soldier is flat blaſphemy.

Lucio. Art avis'd o' that? more on't.

Ang. Why do you put theſe ſayings upon me ?
T/a6, Becauſe authority, tho! it err like others,
ach yet a kind of medicine in itſelf,

a DS Seed D&S ww 6

4 wt

HW MD ZW -

That

MEASURE for MEASURE. 29

That skins the vice o' th' top: go to your boſom ;
Knock there, and ask your heart, what it doth know
That's like my brother's fault; if it confeſs
A natural guiltineſs, fuch as is his,
Let it not ſound a thought upon your tongue
Againſt my brother's life.
Ang. She ſpeaks, and 'tis ſuch ſenſe,
That my ſenſe breeds with it. Fare you well.
Iſab. Gentle, my lord, turn back.
Ang. 1 will bethink me: come again to-morrow.
Jab. Hark, how I'll bribe you: good, my lord, turn back.
Ang. How? bribe me?
Tab. Ay, with ſuch gifts, that heav'n ſhall ſhare
with you.
Lucio. You had marr'd all elſe.
Iſab. Not with fond ſhekles of the reſted gold,
Or ſtones, whoſe rate are either rich, or poor,
As fancy values them; but with true prayers,
That ſnall be up at heav'n, and enter there,
E'er ſun-riſe : prayers from preſerved ſouls,
From faſting maids, whoſe minds are dedicate
To nothing temporal.
Ang. Well; come to-morrow.
Lucio. Go to; 'tis well; away.
Jas. Heav'n keep your Honour fafe !
Ang. Amen :
For I am that way going to temptation,
Where prayers croſs. |
Jab. At what hour to-morrow
Shall I attend your lordſhip?
Ang. Art any time *fore noon.
Jab. Save your Honour! [ Exe. Lucio and Iſabella.
Ang. From thee; even from thy virtue,
What's this? what's this? is this her fault, or mine?
The tempter, or the tempted, who fins molt ?
Not ſhe; nor doth ſhe tempt ; but ir is I,
That, lying by the violet in the ſun,
Do, as the carrion does, not as the flower,
Corrupt with virtuous ſeaſon. Can it be,
That modeſty may more betray our ſenſe,
B 3 Than

30 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Than woman's lightneſs? having waſte ground enough,
Shall we defire to raze the ſanQuary,
And pitch our evils there? oh, fie, fie, fie!
What doſt thou? or what art thou, Angelo?
Doſt thou defire her foully, for thoſe things
That make her good? Oh, let her brother live:
Thieves for their robbery have authority,
When judges ſteal themſelves. What? do I love her,
That I defire to hear her ſpeak again,
And feaſt upon her eyes? what is't I dream on ?
Oh, cunning Enemy, that to catch a Saint,
With Saints doſt bait thy hook! moſt dangerous
Is that temptation, that doth goad us on
To fin in loving virtue: ne'er could the trumpet,
With all her double vigour, art and nature,
Once ſtir my temper ; but this virtuous maid
Subdues me quite : Ever till this very Now,
When men were fond, I ſmil'd, and wonder'd how.
| Exit.
S CE N E changes to a Priſon.

Enter Duke habited like a Friar, and Provoſt.

Duke. AIL to you, Provoſt ; ſo, I think, you are:
| Prov. I am the Provoſt ; what's your Wilh
good Friar ?
Duke. Bound by my charity, and my bleſt Order,
I come to viſit the afflicted ſpirits
Here in the priſon ; do me the common right
To let me ſee them, and ro make me know
The nature of their crimes ;z that I may miniſter
To them accordingly.
Prov. I would do more than that, if more were

need ful.
Enter Juliet. s

Look, here èomes one; a gentlewoman of mine,
Who falling in the flaws of her own youth,
Hath bliſter d her report: ſhe is with child;
And he, that got it, ſentenc'd: a young man
More fit to do another ſuch offence,

Than die for this. ;
| Duke.

4
.
'
|
4

MEASURE for MEASURE. 31

Duke. When muſt he die ?

Prov. As I do think, to-morrow.

] have provided for you; ſtay a while, [To juliet.
And you ſhall be conducted. |

Duke. Repent you, fair-one, of the fin you carry ?

Juliet. I do; and bear the ſhame moſt patiently.

Duke. I'll teach you, how you ſhall arraign your

conſcience, |
And try your penitence, if it be ſound,
Or hollowly put on.

Juliet. III gladly learn.

Duke. Love you the man that wrong'd you?

Juliet. Yes, as I love the woman that wrong'd him.

Duke. So then, it ſeems, your moſt offencetul Act
W.s mutually com mitted. |

Juliet. Mutually.

Duke. Then was your fin of heavier kind than his.

Fuliet. Ido confeſs it, and repent it, father.

Duke. Tis meet ſo, daughter; but repent you not,
As that the fin hath brought you to this ſhame?
Which ſorrow's always tow'rds ourſelves, not heaven;
Showing we'd not ſeek heaven, as we love it,

But as we ſtand in fear, |
Fuliet. I do repent me, as it is an evil;

And rake the ſhame with joy.

Duke. There reſt. |
Your partner, as I hear, muſt die to- morrow,

And I am going with inſtruction to him;

So grace go with you; benedicits. * [Exis.
Fuliet. Muſt die to-morrow ! oh, injurious love,
That reſpites me a life, whoſe very comfort
Is ſtill a dying horror!

Prov. Tis pity of him. ¶Exeunt.

SCE N E changes to the PaLact.
Enter Angglo.

Ang. HEN I.would pray and think, I think
and pray

To ſeyv ral ſubjects. heav'n hath my empty words,

B 4 Whilft

32 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Whilſt my invention, hearing not my tongue,
Anchors on Iſabel: Heav'n's in my mouth,

As if I did but only chew its name;

And in my heart the ſtrong and ſwelling evil
Of my conception : the ſtate, whereon 5 ſtudied,

Is like a good thing, being often read,

Grown fear'd and tedious; yea, my gravity,
Wherein (let no man hear me) I take pride,

Could I with boot change for an idle plume

Which the air beats for vain. Oh Place! oh Form!
How often doſt thou with thy caſe, thy habit,
Wrench awe from fools, and tie the wiſer ſouls

To thy falſe ſeemiflg ? blood, thou art but blood:
Let's write good Angel on the devil's horn

*Tis not the devil's creſt.

Enter Servant.

How now, who's there ?
Serv. One Iſabel, a fiſter, deſires acceſs to you.
Ang. Teach her the way. Oh heav'ns !
Why does my blood thus muſter to my heart,
Making both That unable for it{:1f,
And diſpoſſeſſing all my other parts
Of neceſſary fitneſs ?
So play the fooliſh throngs with one that ſwoons 3
Come all to help him, and ſo ſtop the air
By which he ſhould revive: and even ſo
The gen'ral Subjects to a well-wiſht King
Quit their own part, and in oþſequious fondneſs
Croud to his preſence, where their untaught love
Muſt needs appear offence, How now, fair maid ?

Enter Ifabella.

Iſab. I come to know your pleaſure, |
Ang. That you might know ir, would much better
pleaſe me,

Than to demand, what 'tis. Your brother cannot live.
I/ab. Ev'nſo?—Heay'n keep your Honour! [Going.
Ang. Yet may helive a while ; and, it may be,

As long as you or I ; yet he muſt die.

Iab,

MEASURE for MEASURE. 33

Jab. Under your ſentence?
Ang. Yea,
Jab. When, I beſeech you? that in his reprieve,
Longer or ſhorter, he may be ſo fitted,
That his ſoul ſicken not.
Ang. Ha? fie, tl eſe filthy vices ! twere as good
To pardon him, that hath from nature ſtol'n
A man already made, as to remit
Their ſaucy ſweetneſs, that do coin heav'n's image
In Stamps that are forbid: 'tis all as eaſie,
Falſely to take away a life true made ;
As to put Metal in reſtrained means,
To make a falſe one.
Jab. 'Tis ſer down ſo in heav'n, but not in earth.
Ang. And ſay you ſo? then I ſhall poze you quickly.
Which had you rather, that the moſt juſt law
Now took your brother's life; or, to redeem him,
Give up your body to ſuch ſweet uncleanneſs,
As ſhe, that he hath ſtain'd?
Jab. Sir, believe this,
I had rather give my body than my ſoul.
Ang. I talk not of your ſoul ; our compell'd ſins
Stand more for number than accompt.
Jab. How ſay you?
Ang. Nay, Vil not warrant that; for I can ſpeak
Againſt the thing I ſay. Anſwer to this:
I, now the voice of the recorded law,
Pronounce a ſentence on your brother's life :
Might there nor be a charity in fin,
To fave this brother's life.
Iſab. Pleaſe you to do'r,
T'll rake it as a peril to my ſoul,
It is no fin at all, but charity.
Ang. Pleas'd you to do't at peril of your foul,
Were equal poize of fin and charity.
Jab. That I do beg his life, if it be fin,
Heav'n, let me bear it! you, granting my ſuit,
If that be fin, I'll make it my morn-pray'r
To have it added to the faults of mine,

And nothing of your anſwer. |
Bs | 5

34 MrASURE for MEASURE.

Ang. Nay, but hear me:

Your ſenſe purſues not mine: either, you're ignorant;
Or ſeem fo, craftily ; and that's not good.

Iſab. Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good,
Bur graciouſly to know I am no better.

Ang. Thus Wiſdom wiſhes to appear moſt bright,
When it doth tax itſelf: as theſe black maſques
Proclaim an en-ſhield beauty ten rimes louder,
Than beauty could diſplay'd. Bur mark me,

To be received plain, I'll ſpeak more groſs ;
Your brother is to die.

Iſab. So. |

Ang. And his off-nce is ſo, as it appears
Accountant to the law upon thar pain.

Jab. True. |

Ang. Admit no other way to ſave his life,

{As I ſubſcribe not thar, nor any other,

But in the loſs of queſtion,) that you his ſiſter,
Finding yourſelf deſir'd of ſuch a perſon,

Whoſe credit with the judge, or own great place,
Could fetch your b-other from the manacles
Of the all-hoiding law ; and that there were

No earthly mean to fave him, bur that either
You muſt lay dowa the treaſures of your body
To this ſuppos'd, or elſe to let him ſuffer ;
What would you do?

Iſab. As much for my poor brother, as myſelf;
That is, were I under the terms of death,

TH. impreſſion of keen whips I'd wear as rubies,
And ſtrip myſelf to death, as to a bed
That longing I've been ſick for, cer I'd yield
My body up to ſhame. .
Ang. Then muſt your brother die.
Jab. And 'twere the cheaper way;
Berrer it were, a brother dy'd at once;
Than that a fifter, by redeeming him,
Should die for ever.

Ang. Were not you then as cruel as the ſentence,

Thar you have flander'd ſo ?

Jab. An ignominious ranſom, and free pardon, 1

MEASURE for MEASU” c. 35

Are of two houſes; lawful mercy, ſure,
Is nothing kin to foul redemption.
Ang. You ſeem'd of late to make the law a tyran*,
And rather prov'd the ſliding of your brother
A merriment, than a vice.
I/ab. Oh pardon me, my lord; it oft falls our
To have what we would have, we ſpeak not what
mean :
I ſomething do excuſe the thing I hate,
For his advantage thar I dearly love.
Ang. We are all frail.
Jab. Elſe let my brother die,
If not a feodary, but only he,
Owe, and ſucceed by weakneſs!
Ang Nay, women are frail too. -
Jas. Ay, as the glaſſes where they view themſelves;
Which are as eaſy broke, as they make forms.
Women ! help heav'n ; men their creation mar,
In profiting by them: nay, call us ten times frail;
For we are ſoft as our complexions are,
And credulous to falſe prints.
Ang. I think it well;
And from this teſtimony of your own ſex,
(Since, I ſuppoſe, we're made to be no ſtronger,
Than faults may ſhake our frames) let me be bold:
I &o arret your words: be That you are,
That is, a woman; if you're more, you're none.
you be one, as you arc well expreſs'd
By all external warrants, ſhew it now,
By putting on the deſtin'd livery.
Jab. T have no tongue but one; gentle, my lord,
Let me intreat you, ſpeak the former language.
Ang. Plainly conceive, I love you.
Jab. My brother did love Juliet;
And you tell me, that he ſhall die for it.
Ang. He ſhall not, Iſabel, if you give me love.
Jab. I know, your virtue hath a licence in't,
Which ſeems a little fouler than it is,
To pluck on others.
Ang. Believe me, on mine Honoug,
My words expreſs my purpoſe. Jab.

36 MrASsURRE fer MEASURE.

Jab. Ha! little Honour to be much beliey'd,
And moſt pernicious purpoſe! ſeeming, ſeeming
1 will proclaim thee, Angelo; look fort:
Sign me a preſent Pardon ſor my brother,
Or, with an our-ſtretch'd throat, I'll tell the world
Aloud, what man thou art.
Ang. Who will believe thee, Jabel?
My unſoilVd Name, th' Auſtereneſs of my Life,
My Vouch againſt you, and my Place i'th' State,
Will fo your accuſation over-weigh, |
That you ſhall ſtifle in your own report,
And del of calumny. I have begun;
And now I give my ſenſual race the rein.
Fit thy conſent to my ſharp appetite,
Lay by all nicety, and prolixious bluſhes,
That baniſh what they ſue for: redeem thy brother
By yielding up thy body to my will:
Or elſe he muſt not only die the death,
But thy unkindneſs ſhall his death draw out
To ling'ring ſufferance. Anſwer me to-morrow;
Or by th' affection that now guides me moſt,
I'll prove a tyrant to him. As for you,
Say what you can; my falſe o'erweighs your true. ¶ Exx.
Jab. To whom ſhould I complain? did I tell this,
Who would believe me? O moſt perilous mouths,
That bear in them one and the ſelf-ſame tongue,
Either of condemnation or approof ;
Bidding the Law make curt'ſie to their Will;
Hooking both right and wrong to th' appetite,
To follow, as it draws. Ill to my brother;
Tho' he hath fall'n by prompture of the blood,
Yet hath he in him ſuch a mind of honour,
That had he twenty heads to tender down
On twenty bloody blocks, he'd yield them up;
Before his fiſter ſhould her body ſtoop
To ſuch abhorr'd pollution.
Then, Iſabel, live, chaſte; and, brother, die;
More than our brother is our chaſtity.
T'll tell him yet of Angel's requeſt ;
And fit his mind to death, for his ſoul's Reſt. _ Geng
| T

MEASURE for MEASURE. 37

ACT 1I.
SCENE, the Prifn.
Enter Duke, Claudio, and Provoſt.

DuKXe.

O, then you hope of pardon from lord Angelo?
Claud. The miſerable have no other me-
dicine,
WI But only Hope: I've hope to live, and am
prepar d to die.
Duke. Be abſolute for death : or death, or life,
Shall thereby be the ſweeter. Reaſon thus with life;
If I do loſe thee, I do loſe a thing,
That none but fools would reck; a breath thou art,
Servile to all the skiey influences ;
That doſt this habitation, where thou keep'ſt,
2 afflict; meerly thou art death's fool;
or him thou labour'ft by thy flight to ſhun,
And yet runn'ſt tow'rd him ſtill, Thou art not noble;
For all th' accommodations, that thou bear'ſt,
Are nurs'd by baſeneſs thou'rt by no means valiant;
For thou doſt fear the ſoft and tender fork
Of a poor worm. Thy beſt of Reſt is ſleep,
And that thou oft provok'ſt; yet groſly fear'ſt
Thy death, which is no more. Thou'rt not thyſelf;
For thou exiſt'ſt on many a thouſand grains,
That iſſue out of duſt. Happy thou art not;
For what thou haſt not, ſtill thou ſtriv'ſt to get;
And what thou haſt, — er Thou art not certain;
For thy complexion ſhifts to ſtrange effects,
After the moon. If thou art rich, thou'rt poor;

For,

38 MEASURE for MEASURE.

For, like an aſs, whoſe back with ingors bows,
Thou bear'fſt thy heavy riches but a journey,
And death unloadeth thee. Friend thou haſt none;
For thy own bowels, which do call thee Sire,
The meer effuſion of thy proper loins,
Do curſe the Gout, Serpigo, and the Rheum,
For ending thee no ſooner. Thou haſt nor youth, nor age,
But as it were an after-dinner's ſleep,
Dreaming on both; for all thy bleſſed youth
Becomes as aged, and doth beg the alms
Of palſied Eld; and when thou'rt old and rich,
Thou haſt neither heat, affection, limb, nor beauty
To make thy riches pleaſant. What's yet in this,
That bears the name of life? yet in this life
Lie hid more thouſand deaths; yet death we fear,
That makes theſe odds all even.

Claud. I humbly thank you. 10 4g
To ſue to live, I find. I ſeek to die; *
And, ſeeking death, find life: let it come on.

Enter Iſabella.

Jab. What, ho? peace here: grace and good company?
Prov. Who's there ? come in : the wiſh deſerves a
welcome,
Duke. Dear Sir, &er long I! vifit you again.
Claud. Moſt holy Sir, I thank you.
Jab. My Buſineſs is a word. or two, with Claudio.
Prov. And very welcome. Look, Signior, here's
your ſiſter,
Duke. Provo, a word with you.
Provoſt, As many as 2 pleaſe. 2
Duke. Bring them to ſpeak where I may be conceal'd,
Yet hear them. [Exeunt Duke and Provoft.
Claud. Now, ſiſter, what's the com fort?
Jab. Why, as all comforts are; moſt good in Deed :
Lord Angelo, having affairs to heav'n,
Intends you for his ſwift ambaſſador;
Where you ſhall be an everlaſting lieger.
Therefore your beſt appointment make with ſpeed,

To- morrow you ſet on.
j Claud.

*

MEASURE for MEASURE. 39

Claud. Is there no remedy ?

Iſab. None, but ſuch remedy, as to fave a head,
To cleave a heart in twain.

Claud. But is there any?

Jab. Yes, brother, you may live:

There is a deviliſh mercy in the judge,
If you'll implore it, that will free your life,
But fetter you till dearh.

Claud. Perpetual durance ?

Jab. Ay, juſt ; perpetual durance; a reſtraint,
Tho? all the world's vaſtidity you had,

To a determin'd ſcope.

Claud. But in what nature ?

Jab. In ſuch a one, as you, conſenting to't,
Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear,
And leave you naked.

Claud. Let me know the point.

Jab. Oh, I do fear thee, Claudio; and I quake,
Leſt thou a fev'rous life ſhould'ſt entertain,

And (ix or ſeven Winters more reſpect

Than a perpetual Honour. Dar'ſt thou die?
The ſenſe of death is moſt in apprehenſion ;
And the poor Beetle, that we tread upon,
In corp'ral ſufferance finds a pang as great,
As when a Giant dies.

Claud. Why give you me this ſhame ?
Think you, 1 can a reſolution fetch
From flow'ry tenderneſs? if 1 muſt die,

I will encounter darkneſs as a bride,
And hug it in mine arms.
Jab. There ſpake my brother; there my father's grave
Did utter forth a voice: Yes, thou muſt die;
Thou art too noble to conſerve a life
In baſe appliances. This outward fainted Deputy,
Whoſe {ſettled viſage and delib'rate word
Nips youth i'th* head; and follies doth emmew,
As faulcon doth the fowl ; yet is a devil:
His filth within being caſt, he would appear
A pond as deep as hell.
Claud. The Princely Angelo: * 105

40 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Jab. Oh, tis the cunning livery of hell,
The damned'ft body to inveſt and cover
In princely guards. Doft thou think, Claudio,
If I would yield him my virginity,
Thou might'ſt be freed?
Claud. Oh, heavens! it cannot be.
Jab. Yes, he would give't thee; from this rank
offence
So to offend him ſtill. This night's the time
That I ſhould do what I abhor to name,
Or elſe thou dyꝰſt ro-morrow.
Claud. Thou ſhalt not do'r.
Jab. Oh, were it but my life,
I's throw it down for your deliverance
As frankly as a pin. |
Claud. Thanks, deareſt 1/abel.
Jab. Be ready, Claudio, for your death to-morrow,
Claud. Yes. Has he affections in him,
That thus can make him bite the law by th' noſe,
When he would force it? ſure, it is no ſin;
Or of the deadly ſeven it is the leaſt.
Jab. Which is the leaſt ?
Claud. If it were damnable, he being ſo wiſe,
Why would he for the momentary trick
Be perdurably find? oh Jabel
Jab. What ſays my brother?
Claud. Death's a fearful thing.
Jab. And ſhamed life a harefal.
Claud. * but to die, and go we know not where:
To lie in cold obſtruction, and to rot;
This ſenſible warm motion to become
A kneaded clod; and the delighted ſpirit
To bathe in fiery floods, or to reſide
In thrilling regions of thick-ribbed ice,
To be impriſon'd in the viewleſs winds,
And blown with reſtleſs violence round about
The pendant world ; or to be worſe than worſt
Of thoſe, that lawleſs and incertain thoughts
Imagine howling ;»———'xis too horrible! *
e

MEASURE for MEASURE.

The wearieſt and moſt loathed worldly life,
That age, ach, penury, impriſonment
Can lay on nature, is a parrdiſe
To what we fear of death.

Tab. Alas! alas!

Claud. Sweet ſiſter, let me live;
What ſin you do to fave a brother's life,
Nature diſpenſes with the deed ſo far,
That it becoms a virtue.

Jab. Oh you beaſt !
Oh faithleſs coward ! oh diſhoneſt wretch !
Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice?
Is't not a kind of inceſt, to take life
From thine own fiſter's ſhame ? what ſhould I think ?
Heav'n grant, my mother plaid my father fair:
For ſuch a warped lip of wilderneſs
Ne'er ifſu'd from his blood. Take my defiance,
Die, periſh, might my only bending down
Reprieve thee from thy fate, it ſhould proceed,
Tl pray a thouſand prayers for thy death;
No word to fave thee.

Claud. Nay, hear me Jſabel.

Jab. Oh, fie, fie, fie!
Thy fan's not accidental, but a trade;
Mercy to thee would prove it ſelf a bawd ;
Tis beſt, that thou dy'ſ quickly.

Claud. Oh hear me, Jabella.

To them, Enter Duke and Provoſt.

Duke. Vouchſafe a word, young ſiſter; but ane word.
Jab. What is your will?
Duke. Might you diſpen& with your leiſure, I would

by and by have ſome ſpeech with you: the ſatisfacti-

on I would require, is likewiſe your own benefit.
Jab. I have no ſuperfluous leiſure ; my ſtay muſt be
ſtolen out of other affairs: but I will attend you a while.
Duke. Son, I have over-heard what hath paſt between
you and your ſiſter. Angelo had never the purpoſe to
corrupt her; only he hath made an aſſay of her vir-

tue, to practiſe his judgment with the diſpoſition of
natures,

42 MEASURE for MEASURE.

natures, She, having the truth of honour in her, hath
made him that gracious denial, which he is moſt glad
to receive: I am Confeſſor to Angelo, and I know this to
be true; therefore prepare your {ſelf to death. Do not
ſatisfy your reſolution with hopes that are fallible ; to-
morrow you muſt die; go to your knees, and makeready,

Claud. Let me ask my ſiſter pardon ; I am fo out of
love with life, that I will ſue to be rid of it. [ Ex. Claud.

Duke. Hold you there; farewel. Provoſt, a word
with you.

Prov. What's your will, father?

Duke. That now you are come, you will be gone;
leave me a while with the maid, my mind promiſes
with my habit, no loſs ſhall touch her by my company.

Prov. In good time. [ Exit Prov.

Duke. The hand, that hath made you fair, hath made
you good ; the goodneſs that is cheap in beauty,
makes beauty brief in goodneſs ; but grace, being the
ſoul of your complexion, ſhall keep the body of it
ever fair. The aſſault, that Angelo hath made to you,
fortune hath convey'd to my underſtanding ; and but
that frailty hath examples for his falling, 1 ſhould
wonder at Angelo: how will you do to content this
Subſtitute, and to ſave your brother?

Jab. I am now going to reſolve him: I had rather
my brother die by the law, than my ſon ſhould be
_ unlawfully born. But, oh, how much is the good
Duke deceivd in Angelo? if ever he return, and I can
ſpeak to him, I will open my lips in vain, or diſcover

his Government. |

Duke. That ſhall not be much amiſs; yet as the
matter now ſtands, he will avoid your accuſation ; he
made tryal of you only. Therefore faſten your ear og
my adviſings: to the love I have in doing good, a re-
medy preſents it {elf. Ido make my ſelf believe, that
you may moſt uprigh'ly do a poor wronged lady a me-
rited benefit; redeem your brother from the angry law;
do no ſtain ro your own gracious perſon ; and much
pleaſe the abſent Duke, if. peradventure, he ſhall ever
return to have hearing of this buſineſs. |

I/ab.

MEASURE for MEASURE. 43

Jab. Let me hear you ſpeak farther ; I have ſpirit
to do any thing, that appears not foul in the truth of
my ſpir ir.

— Virtue is bold, and Goodneſs is never fearful:
have you not heard ſpeak of Mariana. the ſiſter of
Frederick, the great ſoldier who miſcarried at ſea?

Jab. 1 have heard of the lady, and good words went
with her name. |

Duke. Her ſhould this Angelo have marry'd ; was
affianc'd to her by oath, and the nuptial appointed:
between which time of the contract, and limit of the
ſolemnity, her brother Frederick was wrackt at ſea,
having in that periſl'd veſſel the dowry of his ſiſter.
But mark. how heavily this befel to the poor gentle-
woman ; there ſhe loſt a noble and renowned brother,
in his love toward her ever moſt kind and natural;
with him the portion and finew of. her fortune, her
marriage-dowry ; with both, her combinate husband,
this well ſeeming Angelo.

Jab. Can this be ſo? did Angelo fo leave her?

Duke. Left her in ber tears, and dry'd not one of
them with his comfort; ſwallow'd his vows whole,

retending, in her, diſcoveries of diſhonour : in few,

ftow'd her on her own lamentation, which ſhe yer
wears for his ſake ; and he, a marble to her tears, is
waſhed with them, but relents nor.

Jab. What a merit were it in death to take this
poor maid from the world ! what corruption in this
life, that it will let this man live ! But how out of
this can ſhe avail ? |

Duke. It is a rupture that you may eaſily heal; and
the cure of it not only ſaves your brother, but keeps
you from diſhonour ia doing it.

Jab. Shew me how, good father.

Duke. This fore · nam'd maid hath yet in her the con-
tinuance of her firſt affection; his unjuſt unkindneſs
(that in all reaſon ſhould have quenched her love,)
hath, like an impediment in the current, made it more
- violent and unruly. Go you to Angelo, anſwer his re-
quiring with a plauſible obedience; agree with —

Ce

44 MEASURE for MEASURE.

demands to the point ; only. refer yourſelf to this ad-
vantage: firſt, that your ſtay with him may not be
long; that the time may have all ſhadow and ſilence
in it; andthe place anſwer to convenience. This be-
ing granted, in courſe now follows all : we ſhall adviſe
this wronged maid to ſtead up your appointment, go
in your place; if the encounter acknowledge it ſelf
hereafter, it may compel him to her recompence ; and
here by this is your Brother ſaved, your Honour un-
tainted, the poor Mariana advantaged, and the cor-
rupt Deputy ſcaled. The maid will I frame, and make
fir for his attempt: if you think well to carry this
as you may, the doubleneſs of the benefit defends the
deceit from reproof. What think you of it?

Jab. The image of it gives me content already,
and, I truſt, it will grow to a moſt proſperous per-
fection. | |

Duke. It lies much in your holding up; haſte you
ſpeedily to Angelo; if for this night he intreat you to
his bed, give him promiſe of ſatisfaction. I will pre-
ſently to St. Luke's; there at the moated Grange reſides
this dejected Mariana; at that place call upon me, and
diſpatch with Angelo, that it may be quickly. |

Iſab. I thank you for this comfort: fare you well,
good father. [Exeunt ſeverally,

SCENE changes io the Street.

Re-enter Duke as 4 Friar ; Elbow, Clown, and Officers.

Elb. AY, if there be no remedy for it, but that

yau will needs buy and ſell men and women

like beaſts, we ſhall have all the world drink brown and

white baſtard.
Duke. Oh, heav'ns! what ſtuff is here?

Clown. Twas never merry world ſince of two uſu-

- ries the merrieſt was put down, and the worſer allow'd
by order of law. A furr'd gown to keep him warm,
and furr'd with fox and lamb-skins too, to ſignifie,
. craft, being richer than innocency, ſtands for the

ing. | | |

Els,

MEASURE for MEASURE. 45

El, Come your way, Sir: bleſs you, good father Friar.

Duke. And you, good brother father ; what offence
hath this man made you, Sir ?

Elb. Marry, Sir, he hath offended the law; and, Sir,
we take him ro be a Thief too, Sir; for we have found
upon him, Sir, a ſtrange pick-lock, which we have
ſent to the Deputy.

Duke. Fie, Sirrah, a bawd, a wicked bawd !

The evil that thou cauſeſt to be done,

That is thy means to live. Doſt thou but think,
What 'tis to cramb a maw, or cloath a back
From ſuch a filthy vice: ſay to thy ſelf,

From their abominable and beaſtly touches

I drink, I eat, array my ſelf, and live.

Canſt thou believe thy living is a life,

So ſtinkingly depending ! go mend, mend.

Clown. Indeed, it doth ſtink in ſome ſort, Sir; but
yet, Sir, I would prove

Duke. Nay, ifthe devil have giv'n thee proofs for ſin,
Thou wilt prove his. Take him to priſon, officer;
Correction and inſtruction muſt both work,

Ere rhis rude beaſt will profit.

Elb. He muſt before the Deputy, Sir; he has given
him warning; the Deputy canuot abide a whore-maſ-
ter; if he be a whore-monger, and comes before him,
he were as good goa mile on his errand.

Duke. That we were all, as ſome would ſeem to be,
Free from all faults, as faults from ſeeming free !

Enter Lucio.

Elb. His neck will come to your waiſt, a cord, Sir -
Clown. I ſpy comfort: I cry bail: here's a gentle -

man and a friend of mine. 8
Lucio. How now, noble Pompey? what, at the wheels
of Ceſar ? art thou led in triumph ? what, is there
none of Pig malion's images newly made women to be
had now, tor putting the hand in the pocket, and ex.
tracting it clutch'd ? What reply? ha? what ſay's
thou to this tune, matter and method? is't not drown'g
i ch' laſt rain? ha? what ſay'ſt thou, trot ? is the worjq
as

46 MrasuRE for MEASURE.

as it was, man? which is the way? is it ſad and few
words? or how? the trick of it?

Duke. Still thus and thus; ſtill worſe ?

Lucio. How doth my dear morſel, thy miſtreſs? pro-
cures ſhe ſtill? ha?

Clown. Troth, Sir, ſhe hath eaten up all her beef,
and ſhe is her ſelf in the tub.

Lucio. Why, tis good; it is the right of it; it muſt
be ſo. Ever your freſh whore, and your powder'd
bawd ; an unſhunn'd conſequence, it muſt be fo, Art
going to priſon, Pompey ?

Clown. Yes, faith, Sir.

Lucio. Why, tis not amiſs, Pompey : farewel : go,
fay, I ſent thee thither. For debt, Pompey ? or how?

Elb. For being a bawd, for being a bawd.

Lucio. Well, then impriſon him; if impriſonment
be the due of a bawd, why, *tis his Right. Bawd is he,
doubtleſs, and of antiquity too; bawd born. Fares
wel, good Pompey : commend me to the priſon, Pom-

z you will turn good husband now, Pompey ; you

will keep the houſe. |
Clown, 1 hope, Sir, your good Worſhip will be my

Lucio. No, indeed, will I not, Pompey; it is not the
wear; I will pray, Pompey, to encreaſe your bondage;
if you take it not patiently, why, your mettle is the
more: adieu, truſty Pompey. Bleſs you, Friar.

Duke. And you.

Lucio. Does Bridget paint ſtill, Pompey ? ha ?

Elb. Come your ways, Sir, come.

Clown. You will not bail me then, Sir?

Lucio. Then, Pompey / nor now. What news abroad,
Friar ? what news? 50

EI. Come your ways, Sir, come.

Lucio. Go to kennel, Pompey, go:

[Exeunt Elbow, Clown and Officers.
What news, Friar, of the Duke ?

Duke. I know none: can you tell me of any?

Lucio. Some ſay, he is with the Emperor of Raſſa;
other ſome, he is in Rome: but where is he, think you?

Duke.

MEASURE for MEASURE. 47

Duke. I know not where; but whereſoever, I wiſh
him well.

Lucio. It was a mad fantaſtical trick of him to ſteal
from the State, and uſurp the beggary he was never
born to. Lord Angelo dukes it well in his abſence ; he
puts Tranſgreſſion to't.

Duke. He does well in't.

Lucio. A little more lenity to leachery would do no
harm in him ; ſomething too crabbed that way, Friar.

Duke. It is too general a vice, and ſeverity muſt
cure it.

Lucio. Yes, in 1 ſooth, the vice is of a great
kindred ; it is well ally'd; but ir is impoſſible ro ex-
tirp it quite, Friar, till eating and drinking be put
down. They ſay, this Angelo was not made by man
and woman after the downright way of creation; is it
true, think you?

Duke. How ſhould he be made then?

Lucio. Some report, a ſea-maid ſpawn'd him. Some,
that he was begot between two ſtock-fiſhes. But it is
certain, that when he makes water, his urine is con-
geal'd ice; that I know to be true: and he is a motion
ungenerative, that's infallible.

Duke. You are pleaſant, Sir, and ſpeak apace.

Lucio. Why, what a ruthleſs thing is this in him,
for the rebellion of a cod-picce to take away the life
of a man? would the Duke, that is abſent, have done
this? ere he would have hang'd a man for the getting
a hundred baſtards, he would have paid for the nuri-
ing a thouſand. He had ſome feeling of the ſport, he
knew the ſervice, and that inſtructed him to mercy.

Duke. I never heard the abſent Duke much detected
for women; he was not inclin'd that way.

Lucio. Oh, Sir, you are deceiy'd.

Duke. Tis not poſſible.

Lucio. Who, not the Duke? yes, your beggar of
fifty; and his uſe was, to put a ducket in her clack-
diſh; the Duke had crotchets in him. He would be
drunk too, that let me inform you. |

+ Duke. You do him wrong ſurely. x
Lucio,

—— CE CO —— EE — n Ms-

48 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Lucio. Sir, I was an inward of his: a ſhy fellow was
the Duke; and, I believe, I know the cauſe of his
withdrawing.

Duke. What pr'ythee, might be the cauſe?

Lucio. No: pardon : tis a ſecret muſt be lockt with-
in the teeth and the lips; but this I can let you un-
derſtand, the greater file of the Subject held the Duke
to be wiſe.

Duke. Wiſe? why, no queſtion, but he was,

Lucio. A very ſuperficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow.

Dake. Either this is envy in you, folly, or miſtaking :
the very ſtream of his life, and the buſineſs he hath
helmed, muſt upon a warranted Need give him a bet-
ter proclamation. Let him be but teſtimonied in his
own bringings forth, and he ſhall appear to the envi-
ous, a ſcholar, a ſtateſman, and a ſoldier. Therefore,
you ſpeak unskilfully; or if your knowledge be more,
it is much darken'd in your malice.

Lucio. Sir, I know him, and I love him.

Duke. Love talks with better knowledge, and knows-
ledge with dear love. + |

Lucio. Come, Sir, I know what I know.

Duke. 1 can hardly believe that, fince you know

not what you ſpeak. But if ever the Duke return, as

our prayers are he may, let me defire you to make
your anſwer before him: if it be honeſt you have ſpoke,
you have courage to maintain it ; I am bound to call
upon you, and, | pray you, your name?

Lucio. Sir, my name is Lucio, well known to the
Duke.

Duke. He ſhall know you better, Sir, if I may live
to report you. |

Lucio. I fear you not. |

Duke. O, you hope, the Duke will return no more;
or you imagine me too unhurtful an oppoſite ; but,
indeed, I can do you little harm : you'll forſwear this
again ?
© odds, I'll be hang'd firſt : thou art deceiv'd in me,
Friar, But no more of this. Can'ſt thou tell, if Clau-
dio die to-morrow, or no?

Dyke, Why ſhould he die, Sir? Lutio.

MEASURE for MEASURE. 49

Lucio. Why? for filling a bottle with a tun-diP;;: [
would, the Duke, we talk of, were return'd again; this
ungenitur'd agent will unpeople the province with Con-
tinency. Sparrows muſt not build in his houſc-eves,
becauſe they are leacherous. The Duke yer would have
dark deeds darkly anſwer'd; he would never bring
them to light; would he were return'd! Marry, this
Claudio is condemned for untruſſing. Farewel, good
Friar ; I pry'thce, pray for me: the Duke, I ſay to thee
again, would eat mutton on Friday. He's now paſt it;
yet, and I fay to thee, he would mouth with a
bezgar, tho' ſhe ſmelt of brown bread and garlick:
fay, that I faid fo, farewel. [ Exit.

Duke. No Might nor Greatneſs in mortality
Can Cenſure {cape : back-wounding. Calumny
The whiteſt Virtue ſtrikes. What King ſo ſtrong
Can tie the gall up in the ſland'rous tongue?

But who comes here?

Enter Eſcalus, Provoſt, and Bawd.

Eſcal. Go, away with her to priſon.

Bawd. Good my lord, be good to me; your Honour
is accounted a merciful man: good my lord.

Eſcal. Double and treble admonition, and till for feit
in the ſame kind ? this would make mercy ſwear, and
play the tyrant. ;

Prov. A bawd of eleven years continuance, may ic
pleaſe your Honour.

Bard. My lord, this is one Lncio's information a-
7 2 me: miſtreſs Kate Keep-down was with child by
im io the Duke's time; he promis'd her marriage;
his child is a year and a quarter old, come Philip and
Jo : I have kept it my ſeit ; and fee, how he goes a-
out to abuſe me,

Eſcal. That fellow is a fellow of much licence; let
him be call'd before us. Away with her to priſon:
go to; no more words. ¶ Exeunt with the Bawd | Pro-
woff, my brother Angelo will not be alter'd ; Claudio
mult die ro-morrow : let him be furniſh'd with Di-
vines, and have all charitable preparation, If my

N C brother

50 MrEasURE for MEASURE.

brother wrought by my pity, it ſhould not be fo with
him. | | |

Prov. So pleaſe you, this Friar hath been with him,
and advis'd him tor the entertainment of death.

Eſcal. Good even, good father.

Duke. Bliſs and gyodneis on you

Eſcal. Ot whence are you?

Duke. Not of this country, tho* my chance is now
To uſe it for my time: I am a brother
Ot gracious Order, late come from the See,

In ſpecial buſineſs from his Holineſs.

Eſcal. What news abroad i'ch" world? |

Duke. None, but that there is ſo great a fever on
goodneſs, that the diſſolution of it mult cure ic. No.
veity is only in requeſt ; and it is as dangerous to be
aged in any kind of courſe, as it is virtuous to be con-
ſtant in any undertaking. There is ſcarce truth e-
nough aliye, to make tocieties ſecure ; but ſecurity e-
nough to make fellowſhipsaccurit. Much upon this rid6!s,
runs the wiſdom of the world; this news is old enoush,
yet it is every day's news. I pray you, Sir, of what
diſpolition was the Duke ? |

Eſcal. One, that, above all other ſtrifes,

Contended ſpecially ro &xwvow himſelf.
| Duke, What pleaſure was he giv'n ro?

Eſcal. Rather rc)oicing to fee another merry, than
merry at any thing which profeſt to make him rejoice.
A gentleman of all temperance. Bur leave we him to
his events, with a-prayer they may prove proſperous ;
and let me deſire to know, how you find Claudio pre-
par'd? T am made to underſtand, that you have lent
him viſitation. 15

Duke. He profeſſes to have received no ſiniſter mea-
ſure from his judge, but moſt willingly humbles him-
ſelf to the determination of juſtice; yer had he fram'd
to himſelf, by the inſtruction of his frailty, many deceiv-
ing promiles of life; which I by my good leiſure have
d:tcredited to him, and now is he reſole d to die.

Eſcal. You have paid the heav'ns your Function, and

the pritoncr the very debt of your Calling. I have la-
| bour'd

1th

FED

chance to fail, he hath ſentenc'd him elf.

E/cal. I am going to viſit'the priſoner ; fare you well.

Duke. Peace be with you!
He who the ſword of heav'n will bear,
Should be as holy as ſevere: |
Pattern in himſelf to -know,
Grace to ſtand, and virtue go;
More nor leſs to others paying,
Than by felf-oftences weighing.
Shame to him, whoſe cruel ſtriking
Kills for faults of bis own liking.
Twice treble Shame on Angelo,
To weed my vice, and let his grow!
Oh, what may man within him hide,
Tho angel on the outward ſide ?

How may that likeneſs, made in crimes,

Making practie on the times,

Draw with idle ſpiders ftrings

Moſt pond'rous and ſubſtantial things!
Craft againſt vice I maſt apply,
With Angelo to-night ſhall lie

His old betrothed, but deſpis'd ;

So diſguiſe ſhall by th' diſguis'd

Pay with falſhood falſe exacting;
And perform an old Contacting.

MEAaSUREfor MEASURE. 51

bour'd for the poor gentleman, to the extremeſt ſhore
of my modeſty ; but my brother Juſtice have I found
fo ſevere, that he hath forc'd me to tell him, he is
indeed Juſtice.
Duke. If his own life anſwer the ſtraitneſs of his
proceeding, it ſhall become him well; whereia if he

[Exie.

ACT.

52 MEASURE for MEASURE!

RT Iv

SCENE, à Grange.
Euter Mariana, and boy ſinging.

SONG.
BAKE, oh, take thoſe lips away, !

That ſo ſweetly were forſworn;
And thoſe eyes, the break of day,
Lights that. do miſlead the morn
But my kiſſes bring again, 1
Seals of love, but feald in vain. |

Enter Duke.

Mari. Break off thy ſong, and haſte thee quick away]
Here comes a man of comfort, whoſe advice
Hath often ſtilld my brawling diſcontent.

«I cry you mercy, Sir, and well could wiſh,
You had not found me here ſo muſical :
Let me-excuſe me, and believe me ſo,
My mirth it much diſpleas'd, but pleas d my woe.

Duke. Tis good; tho' muſiek oft hath ſuch a charm
To make bad, good ; and good provoke to harm.

I pray you, tell me, hath any bedy enquir'd for me
here to-day ? much upon this time, have I promis'd
here to meet. |

Mari. You have not been enquir'd after ; I have
iate here all day. |

Enter Iſabel.

Duke. I do conſtantly believe you: the time is come;
even now. I ſhall crave your fortearancealittle ; may
be, Ion call upon you anon for ſome advantage to
your feir, Mari,

MeasURE for MEASURE. 53

Mari. I am always bound to you. Exit.
Duke. Very well met, and well come:

What is the news from this good Deputy? |
I/ab. He hath a garden circummur'd with brick,

Whoſe weſtern ſide is with a vineyard backt;

And to that vineyard is a planched gate,

That makes his Opening with this bigger key:

This other doth command a little door,

Which from the vineyard to the garden leads;

There, on the heavy middle of the night,

Have I my promiſe made to call upon him.
Duke. But ſhall you on your knowledge find this way?
Iſab. I've ra'en a due and wary note upon't;

With whiſp'ring and moſt gullty diligence,

In action all of precept, he did thow me

The way twice oer.
Duke. Are there no other tokens

Between you 'greed, concerning her obſervance?
Iſab. No: none, but only a repair i'th' dark;

And that I have poſſeſt him, my moſt Stay

Can be but brief; for I have made him know,

I have a ſervant comes with me along,

That ſtays upon me; whoſe per ſuaſion is,

I come about my brother. |

Duke. Tis well born up,

J have not yet made known to Mariana

A word of this. What, hoa! within! come forth!

Enter Mariana.

I pray you, be acquainted with this maid ;
She comes to do you good.

1/ab. I do defire the like.

Duke. Do you perſuade your {elf that I reſpect you

Mari. Good Friar, 1 know you do; and I have
found ir.

Duke. Take then this your Companion by the hat d,
Who hath a ſtory ready for your ear :
J ſhall attend your leiſure; but make haſte;
The vaporous night approaches.

Mari, Wil't pleaſe you walk aſide ?

3 [ Exeunt Mar, and Iſab,

$4 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Duke. Oh Place and Greatneſs! millions of falſe eyes
Are (truck upon thee: volumes of report
Run with theſe falſe and moſt contrarious queſts
Upon thy doings: thouſand ſcapes of wit
Me thee the father of their idle dreams,
And rack thee in their fancies! Welcome ; how agreed ?

Re-enter Mariana, and Iſabel.

Jab. She'll rake the enterprize upon her, father,
If you adviſe it. |

Dake. Tis not my cogfcnt,
Bur my intreaty too.

Iiab Lutle have you to ſay,
When you depart fram him, but ſoft and low,
Remember now my brother. |

Mari. Fcar me not. |

Duke, Nor, geatle daughter, fear you not at all:
He is your husband on a pre- contract;
To bring you thus together, tis no ſin;
Sith that the juſtice of your title to him
Doth flouriſh the deceit. Come, let us go;

Our Corn's to reap ; fer yet oux Tilth's to ſow. [Exe.

SCEN E, changes tothe Priſon.

Enter Provoſt and Clown.

Prov. FNYOME hither, ſirrah: can you cut off a
man's head ? 6
Clown. If the man be a batchelor, Sir, J can: but if

he be a marry'd man, he is his wife's head, and I can

never cat off a wommn's head.
Prov. Come, Sir, leave me your ſuatches, and yield

me a direct anſwer. To- morrow morning are to die

Claudio and Barnar dine: here is in our priſon a common
executioner, who in his office lac ks a helper ; if you

will take it on you to aſſiſt him, it ſhall redeem you
from your gyves: if not, you fhall have your full time _

of impriſonment, and your deliverance with an unpitied

whipping ; for you have been a notorious bawd.
: Clown,

— ws &

MzASURE for MEASURE. 55

' Clown, Sir, I have been an unlawful. bawd, time
our of mind, bur yet 1 will be content to be a lawtul
hangman : I would be glaits receive fome inſtruction
from my fcllow-partner. |

Prov. What hoa, Abhorſon ! where's Abhorſon, there?

Enter Abhorſon.
Abhor. Do you call, Sir?

Prov. Sitrah, here's a fellow will help you to- mor-
row in your execution; if you think it meet, com-
we with him by the year, and let him abide: here

ith you; if not, uſe him for the preſent, and diſ-
miſs him. He cannot plead his eſtimation with you,
he hath been a bawd.

Alhor. A bawd, Sir? fie upon him, he will dif-
credit our myſtery.

Prov. Ga to, Sir, you weigh equally ; a feather will
turn the ſcale. [ Exif.

Clown. Pray, Sir, by your goed favour ; (for, ſure-
ly, Sir, a good favour you have, but that you have a
hanging look ;) do you call, Sir, your occupation a
myſtery ?

Abhor. Ay, Sir; a myſtery.
Clown. Painting, Sir, I have heard ſay, is a myſtery ;

and your. whores, Sir, being members of my occupa-
tion, uling Painting, do prove my occupation a myſ-
tery : but what myſtery there ſhould be in banging, if
I ſhould be hang'd, I cannot imagine.

Abhor. Sir, it is a myſtery.

Clown. Proof. —

Abhor. Every true man's apparel fits your thieſ,
Clown : If it be too little for your true man, your
Thief thinks it big enough. If it be too big for your
true man, your thief thinks it little enough; ſo every
true man's apparel fits your thief.

Re-enter Provoſt.
Prov. Are you agreed ?
Clown. Sir, I will ſerve him: for I do find, your
hang man is a-more penitent trade than your bad ;
he 40: h. ofiner ask forgiveneſs. Bra...

56 MEASURE for MEASURE:

Prov. You, firrah, provide your block and your 25
to-morrow, four o- clock.

Abhor. Come on, bawd, I will inſtruct thee in my
trade ; follow.

Clown. I do deſire to learn, Sir; and I hope, if you
have occaſion to uſe me for your own turn, you ſhall
find me yare: for truly, Sir, for your kindneſs I owe
you a good turn. [ Exit.

Prov. Call hither Barnardine, and Claudio:

One has my pity; not a jot the other,
Being a murth'rer, tho he were my brother.

Enter Claudio.

Look, here's the Warrant, Claudio, for thy death;

Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow

Thou muſt be made immortal. Where's Barnardine ?
Claud. As faſt lock'd up in ſleep, as guiltleſs labour

When it lies ſtarkly in the traveller's bones:

He'l not awake. SANG
Prov. Who can do good on him ?

Well, go, prepare your ſelf. {Ex. Claud.] But, har k,

what noiſe? [ Knock wit hin.

eav'n give your ſpirits comfort! — by and by: —
hope, it is ſome Pardon, or Reprieve,

For the moſt gentle Claudio. Welcome, father.

Enter Duke.

Duke. The beſt and wholeſom'ſt ſpirits of the night
Invellop you, good Provoſt.! who call'd here of late 4

Prov. None, ſince the curphew rung.

Duke. Not Iſabel ? |

Prov. No.

Duke, They will then, ere't be long.

Prov. What comfort is for Claudio?

Duke. There is ſome in Hope.

Prov. It is a bitter Deputy.

Duke. Not fo, not ſo; his life is paralle!'d
Ev'n with the ſtroke and line of his great juſtice
He doth with holy abſtinence ſubdue
That in Haff which be ſpurs oo bis ow ,

MEASURE for MEASURE. 57

To qualify in others. Were he meal'd
With That, which he corrects, then were he tyrannous ;
But this being ſo, he's juſt. Now are they come.
[Knock again. Provoſt goes out.
This is a gentle Provoſt ; ſeldom when
The ſteeled goaler is the friend of men.
How now? what noiſe? that ſpirit's poſſeſt with haſte,
That wounds th' unreſiſting poſtern with theſe ſtrokes,
[Provoſt returns.
Prov. There he muſt ſtay, until the officer
Ariſeto ler him in; he is call'd up.
Duke. Have you no Countermand for Claudio yet,
But he muſt die to-morrow ?
Prov. None, Sir, none.
Duke. As near the dawning, Provoſt, as it is,
You ſhall hear more ere morning.
Prov. Happily, |
You ſomething know; yet, I believe, there comes
No countermand; no ſuch example have we:
Beſides, upon the very Siege of juſtice,
Lord Angelo hath to the publick ear
Profeſt the contrary. |

Enter a Meſſenger.

Duke. This is his lordſhip's man.
Prov. And here comes Claudio's Pardon.

Meſſ. My lord hath ſent you this note, and by me
this turther charge, that you ſwerve not from rhe
ſmalleſt article of ir, ncither in time, matter, or other
circumſtance. Good-morrow ; for as I take it, it is
almoſt day.

Prov. I ſhall obey bim. Exit Meſſen.

Duke. This is his Pardon, purchas'd by tuch ſin,
For which the Pardoner himſelf is in:

Hence hath offence his quick celerity,

When it is born in high authority ;

When vice makes mercy, mercy's ſo extended,
That, for the fault's love, is th' offender friended.

Now, Sir, what news ?

C5 Prov

$$ MEASURE for MEASURE.

Prov. I told you: lord Angels, be-like, thinking me
remiſs in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted
puiting en methinks, ſtrangely; for he bath not us'd
it before.

Duke Pray you, let's hear.

Provoſt reads the letter.

hal ſoe ver you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be
executed by four f the clock, and in the afternoon Bar-
nardine : for my better ſatisfaction, let me have Clau-
dio's head ſent me by ve. Let this be duly performed,
with a thought that more depends on it than we muſt
yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your aſſice, as you will
anſwer it at your peril.

What ſay you to this, Sic?
Dufte. What is that Barnar. ine, who is to be execu-
ted in the afternoon?

Prov. A Bohemian born; but here nurs'd up and bred;
one, that is a pr-ſuner nine years old.

Duke. How came it, that the abſent Duke had not
either deliver'd him to his liberty, or executed him? J
have heard, it was ever his manner to do fo.

Prov. His friends ſtill wrought reprieve: for him, and,
indeed, his fact, till now in the government of lord;
Angelo, came not io an undoubtſul proof.

Duke. 1s it now apparent? Rs

Prov. Moſt manifeſt, an. not deny'd by himſelf.

Duke. R:th he born himfelf penitently in priſon ?
how ſems he to be todch'd? |

Prov. A man that appichends death no more dread-
fully, bur as a drunken flucps; careleſe, reckleſs, and
fenleſs of what's pait, preſent, or to come; inienfible
of mortal ty, ard deſperately mortal.

Duke. He wants advice. ;

Prov. He Will bear none; he hath evermore had
the liberty of the priſon: give hm leave to eſcape
hence, he would nct: drunk many times a day, if
not many days entirely drunk, We have very oft a-
wak'd him, as if 10 carry him to execution, and ſhew'd

| him

MEASURE for MEASURE. 59

him a ſeeming Warrant for it; it hath not mov'd him
at all,

Duke. More of him-anon. There is written in your
brow, Provoſt, honeſty and conſtancy; if I read it nor
truly, my ancient skill beguiles me; but in the bold neſs
of my cunning, I will lay my ſelf in hazard. Claudio,
whom here you have Warrant to execute, is no greater
forfeit to the law than Angelo, who hath ſentenc'd him.
To make you underſtand this in a manifeſted effect, I
crave but four days reſpite; for the which you are to
do me both a preſent and a dangerous courteſy.

Prov. Pray, Sir, in what?

Duke. ln the delaying death.

Prov. Alack! how may I do it, having the hour
limited, and an exprefs command, under penalry, to-
deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I may inake my
caſe as Claudio's, to croſs this in the ſmalleſt.

Duke. By the vow of mine Order, I warrant you, if
my Inſtructions may be your guide: ler this Barnar-
dine be this morning executed, and his head born to
Angelo | ;

Prov. Angelo hath ſeen them both, and will diſcover
the favour.

Duke. Oh, death's a great diſguiſer, and you may add
to it; ſhave the head, and tie the beard, and fay it was:
the detire of the penitent to be ſo barb'd before his
death; you know the courſe is common. If any thing
fall to you upon this, more than thanks and good to
tune; by the ſaint whom I profeſs, 1 will plead againſt
it wich my life.

Prov. Pardon me, good father; it is agaiuſt my oath.

Duke. Were you iworn to the Duke, or to the De-
puty?

Prov. To him, and to his Subſtitutes.

Duke. You will think you have made no offence, if
the Duke avouch the juſtice of your dealing?

Prov. But what likelihood is in thai?

Dake. Not a reſemblance, but a certainty. Yet ſince
I ſte you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, not
my perſuaſwn, can with. caſe attempt you, E wiil go

ue

6o MEASURE for MEASURE.

further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you,
Look you, Sir, here is the hand and ſeal of the Duke;
you know the Character, I doubt not, and the Signet
is not ſtrange to you. 7

Prov. I know them both.

Duke. The Contents of this is the Return of the Duke;
you ſhall anon over-read it at your pleaſure; where
you ſhill find, within theſe two days he will be here.
This is a thing, which Angelo knows not; for he this
very day receives letters of ſtrange tenor; perchance,
of the Duke's death ; perchance, of his entering into
ſome monaſtery ; but, by chance nothing of what is
writ. Look, the unfolding ſtar calls up the ſhepherd?
put not your ſelf into amazement how theſe things
fhould be; all difficulties are but eaſy, when they are
known. Call your Executioner, and off with Barnar-
dine's head: I will give him a preſent ſhrift, and ad-
vile him for a better place. Yet you are amaz'd, bur
this ſhall abſolutely relibve you, Come away, it is al-
moſt clear dawa. [ Exe.

. Enter Clown.

Clown. I am as well acquainted here, as I was in our
houſe of profeſſion; one would think, it were miſtreſs
Over-don's own houſe; for here be many of her old
cuſtomers. Firſt, here's young Mr. Raſh; he's in for
a commodity of brown pepper and old ginger, nine-
ſcore and ſeventeen pounds; of which he made five
marks ready money: marry, then, ginger was not much
in requeſt ; for the old women were all dead. Then
is there here one Mr. Caper, at the ſuit of maſter Three-
Pile the mercer; for ſome four ſuits of peach-colour'd
fatin, which now peaches him a beggar. Then have
we here young Dizzy, and young Mr. Deep-vow, and
Mr. Copper-ſpur, and maſter Starve-Lacky the rapier and
dagger- man, and young Drop-heire that kil!'d luſty Pud-
ding, and Mr. Forthlight the tilter, and brave Mr. Shooty
the great travelier, and wild Half Canne that ſtabb d
Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in our
trade, and are now in for the Lord's fake,

Enter

MEASURE for MEASURE. 61

Enter Abhorſon.

Abhor. Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither,

Clown, Maſter Barnardine, you muſt riſe and be
hang'd, maſter Barnardine. |

Abhor. What, hoa, Barnardine ! | |
. Barnar. [Within ] A pox o' your throats; who makes

that noiſe there? what are you?

Clown. Your Friend, Sir, the hangman : you muſt
be ſo good, Sir, to riſe, and be put to death.
Barnar. [Within.) Away, you rogue, away; I am

eepy.
Abhor. Tell him, he muſt awake, and that quickly
too.

Clown. Pray, maſter Barnardine, awake till you are
executed, and ſleep afterwards.
Abhor. Go in to him, and fetch him out.
Clown. He is coming, Sir, he is coming ; I hear the
ſtraw ruſtle. |
Enter Barnardine.

Abhor. Is the ax upon the block, firrah?
Clown. Very ready, Sir.
Barnar. How now, Abhorſon? what's the news with
ou?
Abhor. Truly, Sir, I wou'd deſire you to clap into
your prayers: for, look you, the Warrant's come.
Barnar. You rogue, I have been drinking all night,
I am not fitted for't.

Clown. Oh, the better, Sir; for he that drinks all
night, and is hang'd betimes in the morning, may ſleep
the ſounder all the next day. |

Enter Duke.

Abhor. Look you, Sir, here comes your ghoſtly fa-
ther; do we jeſt now, think you?

Duke, Sir, induced by my charity, and hearing how
haſtily you are to depart, I am come to adviſe you,
comfort you, and pray with you.

Barnard. Friar, not I: I have been drinking hard all
night, and I will have more time $0 prepare me. —

[

62 MEASURE for MEASURE.

they ſhall beat out my brains with billets: I will not
conſent to die this day, that's certain. |
Due Oh, Sir, you muſt; and therefore, I beſeech
you, look forward on the journey you ſhall go.

Barnar. I ſwear, I will not die to-day for any man's
perſuaſion.

Duke. But hear you, —

Barnar. Not a word: if you have any thing to ſay to
me, come to my Ward]; for thence will not I ro-day. [ Ex.

Enter Provolt.

Dube. Unfit to live, or die: oh gravel heart!
Aſter him, fellows: bring him to the block.

Prov. Now, Sir, how do you find the priſoner ?

Duke. A creature unprepar'd, unmeet for death;
And, to, tranſport him in the mind he is,

Were damnable.
Prov. Here in the priſon, father,
There dy'd this morning of a cruel fever
One Ragozine, a moſt notorious pirate,
A man of Claudio's years; his beard, and kead,
Juſt of his colour: What if we omit
This Reprobate, till he were well inclin'd;
And ſatisfy the Deputy with the viſage
Of Ragozine, more like to Claudio?

Duke. O, tis an accident, that heav'n provides;
Diſpa .ch it preſently; the hour draws on
Prefixt by Angelo: fee, this be done,

And ſent acco ding to Command; while 1
Perſuade this rude wretch willingly to die.

Prov. This ſhall be done, good father, preſently:
But Barnardine muſt die this afternoon. b-
And how ſha!] we continue Claudio,

To fave me from the danger that might come,
If he were known alive?
Dube. Let this be done;
Put them in ſecret Holds, both Barnardine and Clandie :
Ere twice the fun hath made his journal greeting
To yonder generation, you ſl;all find
Your ſafcty manifeſted.
| | Prov,

—
I 4

oc ca. 7 » CTR.

MEASURE for MEASURE. 63

Prov. I am your free dependant.
Dyke. Quick, diſpatch, and ſend the head to An-
elo. [Exit Prov.

Now will I write letters to Angels,
(The Provoſt, he ſhall bear them ;) whoſe contents
Shall witneſs to him, I am near at home;
And that, by great inj unctions, I am bound.
To enter publickly : him I'll defire
To meet me at the conſecrated Fount,
A league below the city; and from thence,
By cold gradation and weal-ballanc'd form,
We ſhall proceed with Angelo.

Enter Provoſt.

Prov. Here is the head, I'Il carry it myſelf.
Duke. Convenient is it: make a ſwift Return;
For I would commune with you of ſuch things,
That want no cars but yours,
Prov. I'll make all ſpeed. [ Exit.
ab. [ Mithin.] Peace, hoa, be here!
Duke. The tongue of abel. — She comes to know,
If yet her brother's Pardon be come hither :
But I will keep her iga'rant of her good,
To make her heav'nly comforts of deſpair,
Waen it is leaſt expected.

Enter Ifabcl.

Jab. Hoa, by your leave
Duke. Good morning to you, fair and gracious
daughter.
Jab. The better, giv'n me by ſo holy a man:
Hath yet the Deputy ſent my brother's Pardon?
Duke. He hath releas'd him, Iſabel, from the world;
His head is off, and ſent to Angelo.
Jab. Nay, but it is not ſo.
Dake. It is no other.
Shew your wiſdom, daughter, in your doſeſt patienee.
Iſab. Oh, I will to him, and pluck out his eyes.
Duke. You ſhall not be admitted to his fight.

I/ab,

64 MEASURE for MEASURE,

Jab. Unhappy Claudio, wretched Iſabel !
Injurious world, moſt damned Angelo |

_ Dake. This nor hurts him, nor profits you a jot:
Forbear it therefore, give your Cauſe to heav'n:
Mark, what I fay; which you ſhall ſurely find
By ev'ry ſyllable a faithful verity.
The Duke comes home to-morrow ; dry your eyes;
One of our Convent, and his Confeſſor,
Gives me this inſtance: already he hath carry'd
Notice to Eſcalus and Angelo,
Who do prepare to meet him at the gates,
There to give up their Pow'r. If you can, pace your

w. ſdom

In that good path that I would wiſh it go,
And you ſhall have your boſom on this wietch,
Grace of the Duke, revenges to your heart,
And gen'ral honour.

Jab. I'm directed by you.

Duke. This letter then to Friar Peter give;
*Tis That he ſent me of the Duke's Return:
Say, by this token, I defire his company
At Mariana's houſe to-night. Her Cauſe and yours
Ii perfect him withal, and he ſhall bring you
Be fore the Duke; and to the head of Angelo
Accuſe him home, and home. For my poor ſelf,
1 am combined by a facred vow, . - + |
And ſhall be abſent. Wend you with this letter:
Command the ſe fretting waters from your eyes,
With a light heart; truſt. not my holy Order,
If I pervert your courſe. Who's here?

- Enter Lucio.

Lucio. Good even;
Friar, where's the Provo?

Duke. Not within, Sir. |

Lucio. Oh, pony Iſabella, I am pale at mine heart
to ſee thine eyes ſo red; thou muſt be patient; 1 am
fain to dine and ſup with water and bran; I dare not
for my head fill my belly: one fruitful meal would
ſet me tot. But, they ſoy, the Duke will be here to-

mortrow.

Mr AasSURE for MEASURE. 65

merrow. By my troth, Jabel, I lov'd thy brother:
if the old fantaſtical Duke of dark corners had been
at home, he had liv'd. [Ev. Iſabella.

Duke. Sir, the Duke is marvellous little beholden to
your reports; but the beſt is, he lives not in them.

Lucio. Friar, thou knoweſt not the Duke fo well as
I do; he's a better woodman, than thou tak'ſt him for.

Duke. Well; you'll anſwer this one day. Fare ye well.

Lucio. Nay, tarry, I'll go along with thee : I can
tell thee pretty tales of the Duke. |

Duke. You have told me too many of him already,
Sir, if they be true; if not true, none were enough.

Lucio. I was once before him for getting a wench
with child.

Duke. Did you ſuch a thing? |

Lucio. Yes, marry, did I; but I was fain to forſwear
it ; they would elſe have marry'd me to the rotten
medlar.

Dake. Sir, your company is fairer than honeſt: reſt
you well. | 2 .
. Lucio, By my troth, I' go with thee to the lane's
end: if bawdy Talk offend you, we'll have very little
of it; nay, Friar, J am a kind of burr, 1 ſhall ſtick.

| | ¶Exeuxt.

SCENE changes t0the PALACE.

Enter Angelo and Eſcalus.
Eſcal E E R letter, ke hath writ, hath diſvouchd

otter,
Ang. ln moſt uneven and diſtracted manner. His
actions ſhew much like to madneſs : pray heav'n, his
wiſdom be not tainted: and why meet hiq at the
gates, and deliver our authorities there ?
Eſcal. 1 gueſs not. | LIE
Ang. And why ſhould we proclaim it in an hour
before his entring, that if any crave redreſs of injuſtice,
they ſhould exhibit their petitions in the ſtreet?

*

Eſcal,

—— —— — ꝗ 2 — z ́ -œ —
. .
*

_ Unto Valentius, Rowland, and to Craſſus, '

6s MeaguRE for MEASURE.

Eſcal. He: ſhews his reaſon for that; to have a diſ-
patch of complaints, and to deliver us from devices here-
after, which ſhall then have no power to ſtand againſt us.

Ang. Well; I beſcech you, let it be proclaim'd be-
times i'th' morn; Pil call you at your houſe: give no-
tice to ſuch men of Sort and Suit, as are to meet him.

Eſcal. I ſhall, Sir: fare you well. [ Exit.

Ang. Good night.

This Deed unſhapes me quite, makes me unpregnant,

And dull to all proceedings. A defloured maid! |

And by an eminent body, that eniorc'd

The Law againſtir ! But that her tender ſhame

Will not proclaim againſt her. maiden loſs,

How might ſhe tongue me? yet regſon dares her:

For my authority bears a credent Bulk;

That no particular ſcandal once can touch,

But it confounds the breather. He ſhould have liv'd,

Save that his riotous youth, with dangerous ſenſe,

Might in the times to come have ta'en revenge;

By ſo receiving a diſhonour'd life,

With ranſom of ſuch ſhame. Would yet, he hadliv'd!

Alack, when once our grace we have forgot,

Nothing goes right; we would, and we would 7
Exit.

SCENE changes to the Fields without the
Town.

Enter Duke in his own habit; and Friar Peter.

Dake. H E. SE letters at fit time deliver me.

The Provoſt knows our purpoſe, and our
lot :

The matter being afoot, keep your inſtruction,

And hold you ever to our ſpecial drift ;

Tho? ſometimes you do blench from this to that,

As cauſe doth miniſter: go, call at Flavius,houle,

And tell him, where I ſtay; give the like notice

And

e

MEASURE for MEASURE, 67

Aud bid them bring the trumpets to the gate:
Bit ſend me Hain, firſt. |
Peter. It ſhall be {peeded well. [Exit Friar,

Enter Varrius. nth |

Duke. I thank thee, Varrins ; thou haſt made good

haſte : |
Come, we will walk. There's other of our Friends

Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrins, [ Exennt.
Enter Liabella and Mariana.

Jab. To (peak ſo indiretly, I am loth:
I'd fay the truth; but to accuſe him fo,
That is your Part; yet Im advis'd to do it,
He fays, t'availful purpoſe.
Mari. Be rul'd by. him,
Jab. Beſides, he tells me, that if peradventure

le ſpeak againſt me on the adverſe fide,

I ſhould not think it ſtrange; for tis a phy lick,
That's bitter to {ſweet end.
Mari. I would, Friar Peter
Jab. Oh, peace; the Friar is come.

Enter Peter.

peter. Come, I have found you out a Stand moſt fits
Where you may have ſuch vantage on the Duke,
He ſhall not paſs you. Twice have the trumpets
founded :
The generous and graveſt citizens
Have hent the gates, and very near upon

The Duke is entring: therefore hence, away. yExennt.

—

68 MEasSunEg for MEASURE,

ACT V.

SCENE, @ publick Place near the City.

Enter Duke, Varrivs, Lords, Angelo, Eſcalus, Lucio,
and Citizens at ſeveral doors.

DuK&kE.

ARRAY very worthy Couſin, fairly met;
NE "uy Our old and faithful friend, we're glad

M oy to ſee Ou.
KT N Ang. and Eſcal. Happy Return be to your
e royal Grace
Duke. Many and hearty thanks be to you both:
We've made enquiry of you, and we hear
Such goodneſs of your juſtice, that our ſoul
Cannor but yield you forth to publick thanks,
Forerunning more requital. |
Ang. You make m Bonds ſtill greater,
Duke. Oh your deſert ſpeaks loud; and I ſhould
wrong it,
To lock it in the wards of covert boſom,
When it deſerves with characters of braſs
A forted reſidence, gainſt the tooth of time
And razure of oblivion. Give me your hand,
And let the Subjects ſee, ro make them know
That outward courteſies would fain proclaim
Favours that keep within. Come Eſcalus;
You muſt walk by us on our other hand:
And good Supporters are you. [As the Duke 3s going out,

Enter Peter and Iſabella.

Peter. Now is your time: ſpeak loud, and kneel
before him, N
: Jab.

2
alt
4
Nj

J
_
FI
/
]

M EASURE for MEASURE. 69
Jab. Juſtice, O royal Duke; vail your regard
Upon 2 wrong d, I'd fain have ſaid, a maid :
Oh, worthy Prince, diſhonour not your eye
By throwing it on any other object,
Till you have heard me in my true complaint,
And given me juſtice, juſtice, juſtice, juſtice,
_ "va your wrongs; in what, by whom? be
ief:
Here is lord Angelo ſhall give you juſtice;
Reveal your ſelf to him.
Jab. Oh, worthy Duke,
You bid me ſeek Redemption of the Devil:
Hear me your ſelf; for that which I muſt ſpeak
Muſt either 2 me, not being beliey'd,
Or wring redreſs from you: oh, hear me, hear me.
Ang. My lord, her Wits, I fear me, are not firm;
She hath been a ſuitor to me for her brother,
Cut off by courſe of juſtice,
Tab. Courſe of Juſtice!
= And ſhe will ſpeak moſt bitterly, and ſtrange!
Jab. Moſt range, but yer moſt truly, will I eak /
That Angelo's forſworn: is it not ſtrange? *
That Angelo's a Murth'rer: is't net ſtrange ?

* Thar Angelo is an adult'rous thief,

An hypocrite, a virgin-violater :
Is it not ſtrange and ſtrange ?

Duke. Nay, it is ten times ſtrange:

Jab. It is not truer he is Angelo,
Than this is all as true, as it is ſtrange:
Nay, it is ten times true; for truth is truth
To th' end of reckoning.

Duke. Away with her: poor foul,

She ſpeaks this in th' infirmity of ſenſe.

Jab. O Prince, I conjure thee, as thou beliey'ſt
There is another Comfort than this World,

That thou negle& me not; with that Opinion

That Iam touch'd with madneſs. Make not impoſſible
That, which but ſeems unlike; tis not iopoſſible, ;
But one the wicked'ſt caitiff on the ground,

May ſeem as ſhy, as grave, as juſt, as abſolute,

AZ

70 MEASURE for MEASURE.

As Angelo; even ſo may Angelo,
In all his dreſſings, carats, titles, forms,
Be an arch-villain : believe it, royal Prince,
If he be leſs, he's nothing; but he's more,
Had I more name for badnels. f
Duke. By mine honeſty, .
If ſhe be mad, as I believe no other,
Her madneſs hath the oddeſt frame of ſenſe;
Such a dependency of thing on thing,
As e'er I heard in madneſs.
Iſab. Gracions Duke,
Harp not on that; nor do not baniſh reaſon
For inequality; but let your reaſon ſerve |
To make the Truth appear, where it ſeems hid;
Not hide the falſe, ſeems true.
Duke. Many that are not mad,
Have, ſure, more lack of reaſon.
What would you ſay?
Jab. I am the filter of one Claudio,
Condemn'd upon the Act of Fornication
To loſe his head 3 condemn'd by Angelo:
1, in probation of a ſiſter- hood,
Was ſent to by my brother; one Lucio,
As then the Meſſenger, —— ' 17
Lucio. That's I, an't like your Grace:
T came to her from Claudio, and defir'd her
To try her gracious fortune with lord Angelo,
For her poor brother's Pardon.
Tab. That's he indeed.

Duke. You were not bid to ſpeak. [To Lucio.
Lucio, No, my good Lord, nor wiſh'd to hold my
peace. |

Duke. I wiſh you now then ;
Pray you, take note of it: and when you have
A buſineſs for your ſelf, pray heav'n, you then
Beperfe&.
Lucio. I warrant your Honour.
Duke. The Warrant's for your ſelf ; take heed tot.
Jab. This Gentleman told ſomewhat of my Tale.
Luxio. Right.

Duale.

U

e.

-

MEASURE for MEASURE. 71

Due. It may be right, but you are in the wrong
To ſpeak before your time. Proceed.
Jab. 1 went
To this pernicious caitiff Deputy. |
Duke, That's ſomewhat madly ſpoken.
Jab. Pardon it:
The Phraſe is to the mattes.
Duke. Mended again: the matter; — proceed.
Jab. In brief; (to ſer the needleſs Proceſs by,
How l perſuaded, how I pray'd and kneel'd,
How he repell'd me, and how I reply'd ;
For this was of much length) the vile Concluſion
I now begin with grief and ſhame'to utter.
He would not, but by gift of my chaſte Body
To bis concupiſcent intemp'rate luſt,

Releaſe my brother; and after much debatement,

My filterly Remorſe confutes mine Honour,
And I did yield to him: But the next morn betimes,
His purpole ſu: feiting, he ſends a Warrant
For my poor brother's head.
Duke, This is molt likely !
Jab. Oh, that it were as like, as it is true!
Duke. By heav'n, fond wretch, thou know'ſt not
what thou ſpeak'ſt; |
Or elſe thou art ſuborn'd againſt his honour
In bateful practice. Firſt, his Integrity
Stands without blemiſh; next, it imports no reaſon,
That with ſuch vehemence he ſhould purſue
Faults proper to himſelf: if he had ſo offended,
He would hare weigh'd thy brother by himſelf,
And not have cut him off. Some one hath ſet you on;
Confeſs the truth, and ſay, by whole advice

Thou cam'ſt here to complain.

Jab. And is this All?
Then, oh, you bleſſed miniſters above !
Keep me in patience; and with ripen'd time,

Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up

In countevance : Heav'n ſhield your Grace from woe,
As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go.

Duke.

72 MEASURE for MEASURE,

Duke. I know you'd fain be gone. An Officer
To priſon with her, ſhall we thus permit
A blaſting and a ſcandalous breath to fall
On him ſo near us? this needs muſt be a practice.
Who knew of your intent, and coming hither ?
Jab. One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick,
Duke. A ghoſtly father, belike:

Who knows that Lodowick ?

Lucio. My lord, I know him; 'tis a medling Friar ;
I do not like the man; had he been Lay, my lord,
For certain words he ſpake againſt your Grace
In your retirement, I had ſwing'd him ſoundly.
Duke. Words againſt me? this isa good Friar, belike;
And to ſet on this wretched woman here
Againſt our Subſtitute! let this Friar be found. |
Lucio. But yeſternight, my lord, ſhe and that Friar,
I faw them at the priſon : a ſawcy Friar,
A very ſcurvy Fellow.
Peter. Bleſſed be your royal Grace!
I have ſtood by, my lord, and I have heard
Your royal ear abus d. Firft, hath this Woman
Moſt wrongfully accus'd your Subſtitute;
Who isas free from touch or ſoil with her,

As ſhe from one ungot.

Duke. We did believe no leſs.
Know you that Friar Lodowick, which ſhe ſpeaks of ?
Peter. | know him for a man divine and holy;
Not ſcurvy, nor a temporary medler,
As he's reported by this gentleman ;
And, on my Truſt, a man that never yet
Did, as he vouches, miſreport your Grace.
Lucio. My lord, moſt villanouſly ; believe it.
Peter, Well ; he in time may come to clear himſelf;
But at this inſtant he is lick, my lord,
Of a ſtrange fever. On his meer requeſt,
(Being come to knowledge that there Nas Complaint
Intended gainſt lord Angelo) came I hither
To ſpeak as from his mouth, what he doth know
Is true, and falſe; and what he with his oath
By all Probation will make vp full clear,

Whenever

To)

MEASURE for MEASURE. 73

Whenever he's conven'd. Firſt, for this woman

Io juſtifie this worthy Nobleman,

So valgarly and perſonally accus'd,
Her ſhall you hear diſproved to her eyes,
Till ſhe her ſelf confeſs it.
Duke. Good Friar, let's hear ir.
Do you not ſmile at this, lord Angelo?
O heav'n! the vanity of wretched fools! ————
Give us ſome ſeats ; come, Couſin Angelo,
In this I will be partial: be you Judge |
Of your own Cauſe. Is this the witneſs, Friar ?
[ Ifabella i carried off, guar ded.

Enter Mariana veil d.

Firſt, let her ſhew her face; and after, ſpeak.
. Mari. Pardon, my lord, I will not ſhew my face,
Until my husband bid me.
Duke. What,-are you marry'd ?
Mari. No, my lord. ;
Duke. Are you a maid?
Mari. No, my lord.
Duke. A widow then ?
Mari. Neither, my lord.
Duke. Why, are you nothing then? neither maid,
widow, nor wife ? 3
Lucio. My lord, ſhe may be a punk; for many of
them are neither maid, widow, nor wife.
Duke. Silence that fellow: I would he had fome
eauſe ro prattle for himſelf,
Lucia. Well, my lord.
Mari. My lord, I do confeſs, Ine er was marry'd ;
And I confeſs beſides, I am no maid ;
I've known my husband; yet my husband knows not,
That ever he knew me. |
Lucio. He was drunk then, my lord; it can be ne
better.
Due. For the benefit of filence, would thou vrert
fo too.
Lucio. Well, my lord.
. Duke, This is no witneſs for lord Angelo.
D

74 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Mari. Now I come to't, my lord.
She that accuſes him of fornication,
In ſelf-fame manner doth accufe my husband;
And charges him, my lord, with ſuch a time,
When I'Il depoſe I had him in mine arms,

With all th'effect of love.

Ang. Charges ſhe more than me ?

Mari. Not that I know. 33

Duke. No? you fay, your husband. [To Mariana.

Mari. Why, juſt, my lord; and that is Angelo;
Who thinks, he knows, that he ne'er knew my body;
But knows, he thinks, that he knows 1/abe/'s.

Ang. This is a ſtrange abule ; let's fee thy face.

Mari. My husband bids me; new I will unmask.

| [ Unveiling,
This is that face, thou cruel Angelo,
Which once thou ſwor'ſt, was worth the looking on:
This is the hand, which, with a vow'd contract,
Was faft belock'd in thine : this is the body,
That took away the match from Iſabel ;
And did fupply thee at thy garden-houſe
In her imagin'd perſon.

Duke. Know you this woman?

Lucio. Carnally, ſhefays.

Dake. Sirrah, no more.

Lucio. Enough, my lord.

Ang. My lord, I muſt confeſs, I know this woman;
And five years ſince there was ſome ſpeech of marriage |
Berwixt my ſelf and her; which was . off,

Partly, for that her promiſed proportions

Came ſhort of compoſition; but, in chief,

For that her Reputation was diſ-valu'd

In levity; ſince which time of five years

Inever ſpake with her, ſaw her, nor heard from her,
Upon my faith and honour.

Mari. Noble Prince,

As there comes light from heav'n, and words from
| breath; |
As there is ſenſe in truth, and truth in virtue,

I amafhanc'd this man's wife, as ſtrongly

As

MEASURE for MEASURE. 73

As words could make up vows: and, my goad lord,
But Iueſday night laſt gone, in's garden-houle,
He knew me as a wife; as this is true,
Let me in ſafety raiſe me from my knees;
Or elſe for ever be confixed here,
A marble monument. |
Ang. I did but {mile*till now.
Now, good my lord, give me the ſcope of Juſtices.
My patience here is touch'd ; I do perceive,
Thelte poor informal women are no more
But inſtruments of ſome more mightier member,
That ſets thera on. Let me have way, my lord,
To find this practice out,
Duke. Ay, with my heart;
And puniſh them unto your height of pleaſure.
Thou tooliſh Friar, and thou pernicious woman,
Compact with her that's gone; think'ſt thou, thy oaths,
Tho' they would ſwear down each particular Saint,
Were teſtimonies gainſt bis worth and credit,
That's ſeal'd in approbation ? You, lord Eſcalus,
Sit with my Couſin; lend him your kind pains
To find out this abuſe, whence 'tis deriv'd.
There is another Friar, that ſet them on;
Let him be ſent for. ,
Peter. Would he were here,'my lord ; for he igdeed,
Hath ſet the women on to this complaint:
Your Prove/? knows the place, where he abides;
And he may fetch him.
Duke. Go, do it it inſtantly.
And you, my noble and well-warranted Couſin,
Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth;
Do with your injuries, as ſeems you beſt,
In any chaſtiſement: I for a while
Will leave you; but ſtir not you, 'till you have well
Determined upon theſe {landerers. [ Exit.
Eſcal. My lord, we'll do it thoroughly. Signior Lucio,
did not you fay, you knew that Friar Lodowick to be a
diſhoneſt perſon ?
Lucio. Cucullus non facit monachum; honeſt in nothing,
| D 2 | but

76 MErasuRE for MEASURE.

but in his cloaths; and one that hath ſpoke moſt villa-
nous ſpeeches of the Duke.

Eſcal. We ſhall intreat you to abide here *cill he
come, and inforce them againſt him; we ſhall find this
Friar a notable fellow.

Lucio. As any in Vienna, on my word.

Eſcal. Call that ſame abel here once again: I would
ſpeak with her; pray you, my lord, give me leave to
queſtion ; you ſhall ſce how I'll handle ir

Lucio. Not better than he, by her own report.

Eſcal. Say you?

Lucio. Marry, Sir, I think, if you handled her pri-
vately, ſhe ſhould ſooner confeſs ; perchance, publickly
ſhe'll be aſham'd. |

Enter Duke in the Friar's habit, and Provoſt ; Iſabella
is brought in,

Eſcal. I wil go darkly to work with her.

Lucio. That's the way; for women are light at
mid-night.

Eſcal. Come on, miſtreſs : here's a gentiewoman
denies all that you have ſaid.

Lucio. My lord, here comes the raſcal I ſpoke of,
here with the Provoſt.

Eſcal. In very good time : ſpezk not you to him,
till we call upon you.

Lucio. Mum

Eſcal. Come, Sir, did you yet ſet theſe women on to
finder lord Angelo? they have confeſsd, you did.

Duke. *Tis falſe.
Eſcal. Row? know you where you are?

Dude. Reſpect to your great Place ; and let the devil
Be ſometime honour'd for his burning throne.
Where is the Duke? 'tis he ſhould hear me ſpeak.

Eſcal. The Duke's in us; and we will hear you ſpeak :
Look, you ſpeak juſtly.

Duke. Boldly at leaſt. But oh, poor ſouls,
Come you to {ek the lamb here of the fox?
Good-night to your redreſs: is the Duke gone ?

Then is your cauſe gone too. The Duke's unjuſt,
Thus

MEASURE for MEASUR. 77

Thus to retort your manifeſt Appeal;
And put your Tryal in the Villain's mouth,
Which here you come to accuſe.
Lucio. This is the raſcal; this is he, I ſpoke of.
Eſcal. Why, thou unrey'rend and unhallow'd Friar,
Is't not enough thou haſt ſuborn'd theſe women
T'accuſe this worthy man, but with foul mouth,
And inthe witneſs of his proper ear,
To call him villain; and then glance from him
To th' Duke himſelf, to tax him with injuſtice?
Take him hence; to th' Rack with him: we'll touze you
Joint by Joint, but we will know his purpoſe:
What? unjuſt?
Duke. Be not ſo hot; the Duke dare no more
ſtrerch
This finger of mine, than he dare rack his own:
His Subject am I not,
Nor here provincial ; my buſineſs in this ſtate
Made me a looker on here in Vienna;
Where I have ſeen corruption boil and bubble,
Till it o'er-run the ſtew: laws, for all faults ;
But faults ſo countenanc'd, that the ſtrong Statutes
Stand like the forfeits in a barber's ſhop
As much in mock as mark.
Eſcal. Slander to th' State! away with him to priſon.
Ang. What can you vouch againſt him, Signior
Lucio?
Is this the man, that you did tell us of?
Lucio. Tis he, my lord. Come hither, goodman
bald - pate; |
Do you know me?
Duke, I remember you, Sir, by the ſound ef your
— 4 I met you at the priſon in the abſence of the
uke.
Lucio. Oh, did you ſo? and do you remember what
you ſaid of the Duke?
Duke. Moſt notedly, Sir.
Lucio. Do you ſo, Sir? and was the Duke a fleſh-
monger, a fool, and a coward, as you then reported

him to be ?
D3 | Duke.

78 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Dake. You muſt, Sir, change perſons with me, ere
you make that my report: you ſpoke ſo of him, and
much more, much worſe.

Lucio. Oh thou damnable fellow! did not 1 pluck
thee by the noſe, for thy ſpeeches ?

Duke. I proteſt, I love the Duke as I love my ſelf.

Ang. Hark! how the villain would cloſe now, after
his treaſonable abuſes. |

Eſcal, Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withal ; a-
way with him to priſon; where is the Provoſt ? away
with him to priſon ; lay bolts enough upon him; let
him ſpeak no more; away with thoſe giglets too, and
with the other confederate companion.

Duke. Stay, Sir, ſtay a-while.

Ang. What! reſiſts he? help kim, Lucio.

Lucio. Come, Sir; come, Sir; come, Sir; fob, Sir;
why, you bald- pated lying raſcal; you muſt be hooded,
muſt you? ſhow your knave's viſage, with a pox to
vou; ſhow your ſheep-biting face, and be hang'd an
hour: wilPt not off? |

[Pulls off the Friar's hood, and diſcovers the Duke.

Dxke. Thou art the firſt knave, that e'er mad'ſt a

Duke. |
Firſt, Provoſt, let me bail theſe gentle three.
Sneak not away, Sir; for the Friar and you
Muſt have a word anon: lay hold on him.
Lucio. This may prove worſe than hanging. :
Duke. What you have ſpoke I pardon ; fit you
down: [To Eſcalus,
We'll borrow place of him. Sir, by your leave:
Haſt thou or word, or wit, or im pudence,
That yet can do thee office? if thou haſt,
Rely upon it till my tale be heard,
And hold no longer out.
Ang. O my dread lord,
I ſhould be guiltier than my guiltineſs,
To think I can be undiſcernable;
When I perceive your Grace, like Pow'r divine,
Hath look d upon my Paſſes: then, good Prince,

No longer Seſſion hold upon my ſhame; "
| ut

MEASURE for MEASURE. 79

But let my Tryal be mine own confeſſion :
Immediate Sentence then, and ſequent death,
Is all the grace I beg.

Duke. Come hither, Mariana:

Say; waſt thou e er contracted to this woman?

Ang. I was, my lord.

Duke. Go take her hence, and marry her inſtantly.
Do you the office, Friar; which conſummate,
Return him here again: go with him, Provoſſ.

[Exeunt Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Provoſt.

Eſcal. My lord, I am more amaz'd at his diſhonour,
Than at the ſtrangenels of it.

Dake. Come hither, Jabel;

Your Friar is now your Prince: as I was then
Advertiſing, and holy to. yaur buſineſs,

Not changing heart with habit, Iam till
Attornied at your ſervice.

Jab. Oh, give me Pardon,
That I, your vallal, have employ'd and pain'd
Your unknown Sovereignty.

Duke. You are pardon'd, Iſabel :
And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
Your brother's death, I know, fits at your heart,
And you may marvel, why I obſcur'd my ſelf,
Labouring to fave his life; and would not rather
Make raſh remonſtrance of my hidden power,
Than let him be fo loſt: Oh, moſt kind maid,
It was the ſwift celerity of his death,
Which, I did think, with lower foot came on,
That brain'd my purpoſe: but, peace be with him!
That life is better life, paſt fearing death,
Than That which lives to fear: make it your comfort;
So, happy is your brother.

Enter Angelo, Mariana, Peter, and Proveſt.

Jab. I do, my lord.
Duke. For this new-marry'd man, approaching here,
Whoſe falt imagination yet hath wrong'd
Your well-defended honour, you muſt pardon
For Mariana's ſake: but as he adjudg'd your brother,
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S0 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Being criminal, in double violation
Of ſacred chaſtity, and of promiſe-breach,
Thereon dependant for your brother's life,.
The very mercy of the law cries out
Moſt audible, even from his proper tongue,
An Angelo for Claudio; death for death.
Haſte ſtill pays haſte, and leiſure anſwers leiſure;
Like doth quit like, and Meaſure ſtill for Meaſure.
Then, Angelo, thy faults are manifeſted;
Which the' thou would'ſt deny, denies thee vantage.
We do condemn thee to the very block,
Where Claudio ſtoop'd. to death; and with like haſte;
Away with him.
Mari. Oh, my moſt gracious lord,
F hope, you will not mock me with a husband?
Duke. It is your husband mock'd you with a husband:
Conſenting to the ſafeguard of your honour,
I thought your marriage fit; ell imputation,
For that he knew you, might reproach your life,
And choak your good to come: for his Poſſeſſions,
Altho' by confiſcation they are ours,
We do enſtate and widow you withal,.
To buy you a better husband.
Mari. Oh, my dear lord,
I crave no other, nor no better man.
Duke, Never crave him; we are definitive,
Mari. Gentle, my Liege
Duke. You do but loſe your labour:
Away with him to death. Now, Sir, to you.
Mari. Oh, my good lord. Sweet Iſabel, take my part;
Lend me your knees, and all my life to come
Ill lend you all my life, to do you ſervice.
Duke. Againſt all ſenſe you do importune her;
Should ſhe kneel down, in mercy of this fact,
Her brother's ghoſt his paved bed would break,
And take her hence in horror.
Mari. Iſabel,
Sweet I/abel, do yet but kneel by me,
Hold up your hands, fay nothing; I'll ſpeak all,
They ſay, beſt men are moulded out of faults

,

M EASURE for MEASURE. 37

And, for the moſt, become much more the better
For being alittle bad: ſo may my husband.
Oh, Jabel! will you not lend a knee?
Duke. He dies for Claudio's death.
Jab. Moſt bounteous Sir,
Look, if it pleaſe you, on this man condemn'd,
As if my brother liv'd: I partly think,
A due ſincerity govern'd his deeds,
Till he did look on me; ſince it is ſo,
Let him not die. My brother had but juſtice,
In that he did the thing for which he dy'd;
For Angelo, his act did not o'ertake his bad intent;
And muſt be bury'd but as an intent,
That periſh'd by the way: thoughts are no ſubjects:
Intents, bur meerly thoughts.
Mari. Meerly, my lord.
Duke. Your ſuit's unprofitable ; ſtand up, I fay:
I have bethought me of another fault.
Provoſt, how came it, Claudio was beheaded
At an unuſual hour?
Prov. It was commanded fo.
Duke. Had you a ſpecial Warrant for the deed?
Prov. No, my good lord; it was by private meſſage.

Duke. For which I do diſcharge you of your Office:

Gire up your keys.
Prov. Pardon me, noble lord.
I thought, it was a fault, but knew it not;
Yet did repent me, after more advice:
For teſtimony whereof, one in th' priſon,
That ſhould by private order elſe have dy d,
I have reſerv'd alive.
Duke. What's he?
Prov. His name is Barnardine,
Duke. I would, thou had'ſt done ſo by Claudio:
Go, ferch him hither; ler me look upon him.
Eſcal. I'm ſorry, one ſo learned and ſo wiſe
As you, lord Angelo, have ſtill appear'd,
Should lip ſo groſſly both in heat of blood,
And lack of temper'd judgment afterward,

[ Kneeling.

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82 MEASURE for MEASURE.

Ang. I'm ſorry, that ſuch ſorrow I procure;
And ſo deep ſticks it in my penitent heart,
That I crave death more willingly than mercy :
"Tis my deſerving, and I de iatreat it.

Enter Provoſt, Barnardine, Claudio, and julietta.

Duke. Which is that Barnardins ?
Prov. This, my lord.

Duke. There was atFriar told me of this man:

Sirrah, thou'rt ſaid to have a ſtubborn ſoul,

That apprehends no further than this world;

And ſquar'ſt thy life accordingly: thou'rt condemn'd;
But for thoſe earthly faults, I quit them all:

J pray thee, take this mercy to provide

For better times to come: Friar, adviſe him;

J leave him to your hand. What muffled fellow's that?

Prov. This is another priſoner, that I fav'd,

Who ſhould have dy'd when Claudio loſt his head,
As like almoſt to Claudio, as him ſeif.

Duke. If he be like your brother, for his ſake

Is he pardon'd; and tor your lovely fake,

Give me your hand, and ſay, you will be mine,

He is my brother too; but fitter time for that.

By this, lord Angelo perceives he's fate;

Methinks, I ſee a quickning in. his _

Well, Angelo, your evi! quits you well;

Look, that you love your wife; her worth, worth yours.
I find an apt remiſſion in my ſelf,

And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon.

You, firrah, that knew me for a fool, a coward,[ To Lucio,
One of all luxury, an aſs, a mad man;

Whercin have I deſerved. fo of you,

That you extol me thus?

Lucio. *Faith, my lord, I ſpoke it but according to the
trick; if you will hang me for it, you may: but 1 had
rather it would pleaſe you, I might be whipt.

Duke. Whipt firſt, Sir, and hang'd after.

Proclaim it, Provoſt, round about the city;

If any woman, wrong'd by this lewd fellow,

(As I bave heard him ſwear himſelf there's one
nem

/

/

MEASURE for MEASURE. 83

Whom he begot with child) let her appear,
And he ſhall marry her; the Nuprial finiſh'd,
Let him be whipt and hang d.
Lucio. I beſeech your Highneſs, do not marry me to
a whore: your Highneſs ſaid even now, I made you a
Duke; good my lord, do nor recompence me, in making
me a cuckold.
Duke. Upon mine honour, thou ſhalt marry her:
Thy ſlanders I forgive, and therewithal
Remit thy other forfeits; take him to priſon:
And ſee our pleaſure herein executed.
Lucio, Marrying a punk, my lord, is preſſing to death,
whipping and hanging.
Duke. Sland'ring a Prince deſerves it.
She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you reftore.
oy to you, Mariana : love her, Angelo:
have confeſs'd her, and I know her virtue.
Thanks, good friend Eſcalus, for thy much goodneſs:
There's more behind, that is more gratulate.
Thanks, Proveſt, for thy care and ſecreſie;
We ſhall employ thee in a worthier place:
Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home
The head of Ragozine ſor Claudio's;
Th' offence pardons it ſelf. Dear Iſabel,
I have a motion much imports your good,
Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline,
What's mine is yours, and what is yours is mine;
So bring us to our Palace, where we'll ſhow
What's yet behind, that's meet you all ſhould know.

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W HEREAS N. Walker, and
his Accomplices have printed

and publiſhed ſeveral of Shake-

ſpear's Plays, and, to ſcreen their innumera-
ble Errors, advertize, that they are printed

as they are acted ; and induſtriouſly report,

that the faid Plays are printed from Copies
made uſe of at the Theatres. I therefore

declare, in Juſtice to the Proprietors, whoſe
Right is baſely invaded, 'as well as in De-
fence of my ſelf, that no Perſon ever had,
directly, or indirectly, from me any ſuch
Copy or Copies; neither would I be acceſſa-
ry, on any Account, to the impoſing on
the Publick ſuch uſeleſs, pirated and maim-
ed Editions, as are publiſhed by the faid

EK. Walker.

-

,-

1 W.CnETwoop.
Prompter to his Majyeſty's
©, Company of \Commedians

at the Theatre Royal in
Drury I ane.

%.

A 2 Dramatis

0 Dr. Pinch, 2 School-maſter, and a COT,

| Dramati tis Perlongs | ;

S$ALINUS. Duke of Ephelis, | |

Egeon, a Merchaye of Syracuſe,” 15.5 bop | 75
Antipholis of Epheſus, Twin Brothers, and Sons to E-
Antipholis of Syracuſe, Fon on and Emil, but _—_

| Dromio of Epheſus, > Twin Brot bers, and Slaves to the
Dromio of Syracuſe, F #4vs; e. | ,
Balthazar, a Merchant. EDN > '1 . "I
Angelo, a Goldſmith, © =
A Merehqnt, Friend to Anti pbolis of” abel. 5

« Emilia, Wiſe u Ageon, an Abbe/s at: Fpheſus, ki 3

Adviana, Wife to Antipholis of Epheſus. | ock
* Luciana, Siſter ta Adriana. Hr .
Luce; Servant to Adriana. n f HE

Fo Zailor , Officers, and other Attendants,

*

CE NE Epheſus. *
* Fj r 5

—

The Plat taken from the Menæchmi of Plautus,

——
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——
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ACT, SCE NE I.

Enter the Due of Epkefus, geon, Tat, ho
"a other attendants. 10

7 4 8 eO N. yo C2 FR > >

. Salinus, to procure my fall, | 6

p- And by the doom of death a | woes and all.

Duke. "Merchant of Syraca/a, plead no more; 3

am not partial to infringe our laws; . 4

The enmity and diſcord Which of FF

Sprung from the ranc'rous outragę of your Diike, 1

To merchants, our well-dealing countrymen, |

(Who wanting gilders to redeem their lives rh |

Have ſeaPa his rigorous ſtatutes with their blood)? 1

- Excludes all HY — our e 85 8 7 |

For, ſince the mortal and inteſtine |

_ 'T'wixt thy fedicions countrymen |

| It hath in ſolemn ſynods been root gs
| Both by the Syractſans and our ſelves, een

1 admit no trafhck to our adverſe towns. 9

5 A 3 Nay,

63 The Comedy EAA.
Nay, more; if any born at Edbe =
Be ſeen at Syracu/an marts and fairs.
Again, if any 'Syracuſen born r
Come to the Bay of Epbeſas, he dies |
His goods confiſcate to the Fe ee,
Unlefs a thouſand marks be levied |
I 0 quit the penalty,” and ranſom him.
Thy ſubſtance, valu'd at the higheſt rate,
Cannot amount unto an hundred marks;
Therefore by law thou art condemn'd to die.
ey” Yet this my comfort, when your SPY ar
one,
My woes end likewiſe with the evening ſun. NH
Duke Well, Syracujaz, ſay in brief the cauſe, *
Why thou departed'ft from t jane omen!” (). 7
And for what cauſe thoa cam by why .
Aren. A heavier task could beak ave been impos |
Than I to ſpeak my grief unſpeakable : :
Yet that the world may witgeſs that my end
Was wrought By nature, not by vile offence,” ©
I'll utter what my forrow gives me leave.
In Sys acuſa Was Toer, —̃ CY ome
Unto a woman, happy but forme,
+ And by me too not our hap "ol bad :
With her I liv'd in joy, our wealth increas'd
By proſperous voy yages I often made. OI es
To Egidamum, till my factor death; A
And he great ſtore of o99s at random leaving,
Drew me 12 Kind emb racements of my CE 1
From whem my abſence was not Rx . * old, k. 7 *
Before her ſelf (almoſt at N ündeß
The pleaſing puniſhment that Women bear)
Had made provion for her following me, = 1
And ſoon and fafe Wha 47 I was. 5
There ſhe had not been Jong but the became
A joyful mother of two 3 IE
And, which was ſtrange 3 one 12 ke the ,
As could nor be diſisg t but en
That very hour, and in the ſelf. lame inn, FO
A Re mean e 7 PII

* ,

Fhe Comedy ER R ORS. 7
Of ſuch a burthen, male-twins both alike:
Thoſe {for their parents were exceeding poor)

I bought, and brought up to attend my ſons. *

My wife, not meanly proud of two ſuch boys,

Made daily motions for our home return:

Unwilling I agreed; alas, too ſoon /!

We came aboard: | | N

A league from Epidamnum had we fail'd,

Before the always wind- obeying deep © ©

Gave any tragick inſtance of our harm ;

But longer did we not retain much hope :

For what obſcured light the heav'ns did grant,

Did but convey unto our fearful minds |

A doubtfal warrant of immediate death

Which tho' my ſelf would gladly have embrae'd,

Yet the inceſſant weeping of my wife,

Weeping before for what ſhe ſaw muſt come,
And piteous plainings of the pretty babes

That mourn'd for faſhion, ignorant what to fear,

Forc'd me to ſeek delays for them and me:

And this it was, (for other means were none.)

The failors ſought for ſafety by our boat, $

And left the ſhip then ſimking-ripe to us;

My wife, more careful for the elder born, ;
Had faſten'd him unto a ſmall ſpare maſt, By
Such as ſea-faring men provide for ftorms ; *

To him one of the other Twins was bound,
Whilſt I had been like heedful of the other.
The children thus difpos'd, my wife and I,
Fixing our eyes on whom our care was fixt,
Faſten d our ſelves at either end the maſt, _
And floating ſtraight, obedient to the, ſtream,
Were carry'd towards Corinth, as we thought.
At length the ſun gazing upon the earth
Diſpers'd thoſe vapours that offended us;
And by the benefit of his wiſh'd light |
Tbe ſeas wax calm, and we diſcovered |
Two ſhips from far making amain'to us,
Of Corinth that, of Epidaurus this; |
But ere they came oh let me fay no more;
A Gather

©

The Comedy of ERRORS,

Gather the ſequel by that went before. _
Duke. Nay, forward old man, do not break off ſo ;
For we may pity, tho'. not pardon the.
[Egeon. Oh had the gods done fo, I had not now
Worthily tefm'd them mercileſs to us;
For ere the ſhips could meet by twice five leagues,
We were encountred by a mighty rock; "i
Wich being violently born upon, | "4
Our helpleſs ſhip was ſplitted in the midſt ; |
So that in this unjuſt divorce of us
Fortune had left to both of us alike _
What to delight in, what to ſorrow for.
Her part, poor ſoul, ſeeming as burdened
With leſſer weight, but not with leſſer we,
Was earry'd with more ſpeed before the wind,
And in our fight they three were taken up
By fiſhermen of Corinth, as we thought.
At length another ſhip had ſeiz'd on us; "
And knowing whom it was their kap to fave,
Gave hefpful welcome to their ſhipwrackt gueſts,
And would have reft the fiſhers of their prey, - «WI!
Had not their bark been very flow of fait; 250%

—_

5». 4A bye

—

Aud therefore homeward did they bend their courſe.
Thus have you heard me ſever'd from my bliſs,
That by misfortunes was my life prolong'd, 7
To tell fad ſtories of my own miſhaps. bo
Duke. And for the ſakes of them ſorrow'ſt for,
Do me the favour to dilate at full _ -
What hath defall'n 7 3 — thee till oy: en
tan. My youn „ And et my e care, -
As . 10 AE tb 21424 e he
Aſter his brother, and importun'd me, -
That his attendant, (for his caſe was lie,
Reſt of his brother, but retain'd his nam.)
Might bear him company in queſt of him: 3
Whom, whilſt I Fd of a love to ſee, _ =
I hazarded the loſs of whom I lov'd.. We
Five ſummers have I Pent in fartheſt Greece,
' Roaming clean through the bounds of Ha,
And coaſting homeward, came to Ephe/us: | x
"1 | e _ © Hopeleſs

De Comedy of ERRORS. 9
Hopeleſs to find, yet loath to leave unſought, -
Or that, or any place that harbours men.

But here muſt end the ſtory of my lite;
And happy were I in my timely death,
Could all my travels warrant me they ive.
Due. Hapleſs gen, whom the fates have markt
To bear th' extremity of dire miſhap ; - -
Now truſt me, were it not againſt our laws,
Againſt my crown, my oath, my dignity,
Which princes would, they may not diſanul,
My foul ſhould ſue as advocate for thee,
But tho' thou art adjudged to the death,
And paſſed ſentence may not be recall'd,
But to our honour's great-diſparagement,
Yet will I favour-thee in what Ican;
I therefore, *merchant, limit thee this day
To ſeek thy life by beneficial help : |
Try all the friends thou haſt in Epheſus,
| Beg thou, or borrow to make up the ſum,
And live; if not, then thou art doom'd to die:
Jailor, take him to thy-cuſtody.
Fail. I will, my lord. IF:
Egeon. Hopeleſs and helpleſs doth Ægeon wend,

|
|
Bat to procraſtinate his liveleſs end. Freu. |
4 \ > WIRE 4 8 | |
| |
S. CE. NeE. Hl.
| 6 |
. We STREET. |
. 5 g

| Enter Antipholis of Syracuſe, a Merchant, and Dromio.

Mer. Herefore give ont, you are of Epidamnum,
* Leſt that your goods too ſoon be confiſcate.
This very day a Syracuſan merchant
Is apprehended = arrival here;
And not being able to buy out his life,
According to the ſtatute of the town, |
Dies ere the weary ſun ſet in the weſt ; .
There is our money that I had to keep, — |
x 1. *

—— —

% The cane ExRORS..

Ant. Go bear j it to the Centaur, where we hob; .
And ſtay there, Dfrumio, till T came to the:
Till that III view the mangers of the town,

Within this hour it will be inner-time,

Peruſe the traders, fee Who upon the puildi gs nk
And then return and flee Within mine „ n

For with lor Gavel 1 f _—
Get thee _ e 7 Tn, erp rag
Dro. Many a man would. take you at your, word,”
And go indeed, having o ood 2 means. Exit bee
Ant. A truſty villain, ir, that! very oft,
When I am dull with tare and melan 043M
Lightens my humour Wiek his merry lens“ th
Whiat, will you walk with" me about, the town,
And then go to the irihi'ahid'dine w ith, met. 4
Mer. I am invi „Sit, e moans,
Of whom I hope to Rake much benefit : 1a
I erave your pardon. Soon at five a clock,
Pleaſe you, I'iI meet with you upon the 105
And afterward conſort you till bed. time:
My preſent buſintfs calls me from) you now
Ant. Farewel, till then: I Will gq 1 10 thy ag,
And wander up and down to view the city.
Mer. $1 I commend You'to your own a,

a Yo aa. axcrnacacxk

x. Mer.

# \

S CEN E. HI.

Aut. He that commends. to my own content, | 2

Commends me to the e not get. 3
I to the world am like a of water, EN.

That in the ocean ſeelcs on drop; |

Who falling there to find his fellow * e

Unſeen; inquiſitive, con founds lf: => *

So I, to find a mother and à brother, 1

* ir) _ them, unhappy, ole my. y elf, "jp

Enter Deomio of Epheſus. & 41479 ol
Here comes the almanack of 'my true Ute.
WR now ? how chance e TY 0 ſoon ?

34 FE. Dre.

»* —

The Comedy of EA Ton. N 11 ;

F. Dro. Return'd' fo wa. ather approach'd | too late:
The cadon burns, the pi from the ſpit,
The clock has ſtrucken Me upon the bell;
My miſtreſs made it one upon my cheek ;
She is ſo hat becauſe the meat is cold;
The meat is cold becauſe you come not home;
You come not home becauſe you have no ſtomach ;
7 You have no ſtomach having broke your faſt :
17 But we that know what tis to faſt and pray,
\ Are penitent for your default to-day.
Ant. — your wind, Sir; "ell me this, I pray,
Where you have left the money that I gave you ?
E. Dre. Oh, fix pence that I had a Vedrgſday laſt,
To pay the fadler or my miſtreſs n
The ſadler had it, Sir; I kept it not. |
Ant. I am not ina ſportive humour now;
Tell me and dally not, where is the money?
We being ſtrangers here, how dar'ſt thou truſt
So great a charge from thine own cuſtody ;
E. Dro. I pray you jeſt, Sir; as you ſit at dinner:
I from my miſtreſs come to you in poſt, |
If I return, I ſhall be poſt indeed; CID ai
For ſhe will ſcore your fault upon my pate:
Methinks your maw, like ins: ſhould be, your 8
And ſtrike you home wizhout a meſſenger.
Ant. Come, Dromis, come, theſe * are out 948 ſeas:
-ſon ;
Reſerve them *till a mertitr hour than this':
Where is the gold I gave in charge to thee ?
- &—+ Z. Dro. To me, Sir; why, you gave no gold to me.
it. Come on, Sir knave, have done your fooliſhneſs,
And tell me how thoꝶhaſt difpag'd thy charge:
E. Dro. My charge uu butto-feteh you from the mart
Home to your houſe, the'Phaws; Sir, to dinner;
My miſtreſs and her er da) fr you.
An.. Now as I am a chriſtian anſwer me,
In what ſafe place you have beftow'd my money;
Or I ſhall break that merry ſconce of yours,
That ſtands on tricks when I am undiſpos d
Where are the thouſand marks thou hadit of me ?
EY E. Dre.

—

12 * The Comedy of Ex R ORS.

F. Dro. I have ſome marks of yours upon my pate;
Some of my miſtreſs marks upon my ſhoulders ; *
But not a thouſand marks hetWees g οοαꝗ both.
If I ſhould pay your worſhip thoſe again,
Perchance you will not bear them patiently.
Ant. Thy miſtreſs marks what miſtreſs, lave, haſt
ee 2 | |

F. Dre; Vour worlhip's wife, my miſtreſs at the
Phenix. $4] FRET

She that doth faſt till you come home to dinner
And prays that you will hie you home to dinner.
Ant. What, wilt thou float me thus unto my face,
Being forbid ? there take you that, Sir knave.
E. Dro. What mean you, Sir? for God ſake hold

1 your hands; *

Nay, an you will not, Sir, I'll take my heels.
| 1355 . Ex. Dromio.
Ant. Upon my life, by ſome device or other,
The villain is v'er-wrought of all my money.
They ſay, this town is fall of couſenage:

As, mmble juglers, that deceive the eye; ©
« Dark-working ſorcerers, that change the mind;
0 F. i tches, that deform the body ; |
« Dy ed cheaters, pratin

And many foch like forties .
I it prove fo, I wilt be gone the ſooner.
Tu to the Centaur, to gofeek this ſlave;

| , TExt
I fear | Ei
greatly my money is hot ſafe. E
7 = . . a 0
: | 3 FF * ' [EE *
"TIX. wa by >
££%Y 3 1 "
8 * 9 Sy *
* 2 | A * -
o 5 ET -
> — "
* _ — -
IS * * _
8 418 ES.
. _— _
£ i
POS a N Ns I; A C >
r 9 r *
+ L f * . 5 5 ge
4 5 : | 4 3 72 3 - ”
1 — *
4 — 1

The cn .

-

9 AWE uE a

5 ac U. s n NE I.
The Houſe of Antipholis of Epheſus,

Enter Adriana and Luciana
Nee

Either my husband, nor che ſave returned,
That in ſuch haſte I ſent to ſeek. his maſter
Sure, Luciana, it is two a clock.

Luc, Perhaps ſome merchant hath invited him.
And from the mart he's ſomewhere gone to dinner:
Good ſiſter, let us dine, and erke.

A man is maſter of hs liberty :

Time is their maſter, and when they ſee time

They'll go or come; if ſo, be patient, filter.

Adr. Why ſhould their lien than ours be more?

Lac. Becauſe their buſineſs: fall lies out a-door.

Adr. Look, when I ſerve him fo, he takes it ill.

Le. Oh, know he is the bridle of your will.

on: There's none but aſſes will be bridled fo.

Lac. Why, head: ſtrong liberty is laſht with wo.
There's nothing ſituate under heay*n's eye,
Bug hath its bound in earth, in ſea, and sky:
The beaſts, the fiſhes, andthe winged fowls,

Are their male s ſubjects, and at their controuls.
Man more divine, the walter of all theſe.

Lord of the wide world, and wide wat'ry ſeas,
Indu'd with intellectual ſenſe and ſoul, |
Of more preheminence than ſiſſ and fowl,

Are maſters to their females and their lends : :
Then let your will attend on their accords.,

*

LD DD TR EE —— UE —L— ——

14 The Comedy of ERROR S.
Adr. This ſervitude makes you to keep unwed.
Luc. Not this, but troubles of the marriage- bet.

| 4 But were yon wedded, you would bear. amg

way.
Luc. Ere I learn love Tl ractiſe to obey.
Adr. How if your. es. fart ſome other where?
Luc. Till he come home again I would forbear.
Adr. Patience unmov'd, no marvel tho' ſhe pauſe ;
They can be meek that have no other cauſe :
A wretched foul bruis d with adverſity, -

We bid be quiet when we hear it cry ;

But were we burden d with like weight of] pain,

As much. or more we ſhould our ſelves complain ;
So thou that haſt no unkind'mate to grieve thee,
With urging helpleſs patience would'ſ relieve me:

But if tho live to ſee like right bereft,

This fool-begy'd patience in thee will de left,
Luc. Well, I will marry one day but to try;
re comes your man, now is your _—_—

SCENE I.

E wer Dromio.Eph.

41 Sa 14 your e now at hand?

F. Dre. 1 — he's at two hands with e and chat
my two ears can witneſs.

Adr. Say, didſt thou ſpeak with him ? know thou

: kis mind?

E. Dre. -Ay, ay, he told his mind upon mine ear,
Beſhrew his hand, I ſcarce could underitand it.
Luc. Spake he ſo eee thou couldſt® feel __

*

, meaning ?

E. Ie. Nay, be ſtruck ſo plainly, I could too well
feel his blows ; and withal fo ity. that I could

ſcarce underſtand them.

Adr. But ſay, I pr'ythee, is booming home **
It ſeems he hath great care to pleaſe his wife. - 8

E. Dro. Why, miſtreſs, ſure my maſter is hori-ned,”
> Horn- mad, III {4 1 *
. 70,

TD Comedy of ER ROS. | 1.4
E. Dre. | wenn gs cuckold-mad 4 de Walen |

mad : 2;
} When I deſir'd kim to come to .
| He ask'd me for à thouſand marks in gold:
"Tis dinner- time, quoth I ; my gald, quoth he:
Your meat doth burn, queth I? my gold, quoth he. A
Where is the thouſand maxka. I gave thee, villain ?
The pig, quoth I, is burn d my. gold, quoth he,
Will you come, quoth I my gold, quoth. h:?
My miſtreſs, Sir, quoth I; hang up my miſtreſs ;
I know not thy muſtreſs,; out on chy miſtreſs:
Luc. Quoth who?
E. Dre. * my —
I know, quoth he, nor hduſe, na. wife, no miſtreſ :
So that my errand, due unto; my tongue, | d;: ff 6?
I thank him, I bare home upon my ſhoulders: 5
For in concluſion, he did beat me there:
Adr. Go back again, thou flave; and fetch hin kun
E. Dro. Go back again, and be new beaten home?
For God's ſake ſend ſome other L
Adr. Back, flave, or I will break acroſs,
E. Dro. And he will bleſs that croſs 464 — beating:
Between you I ſhall have a holy head.
Adr. Hence, prating peaſant, fetch thy maſter home.
E. Dro. Am I ſo round with you as you with me,
\ That like a ſoot-ball you do ſpurn me thus?
You ſpurn me hence, and he will ſpurn me hither :
If T laſt in this * * muſt eaſe me in Jeather.

43 xt.

— wed

- - —— — — Wm
rr, rd — c-X - —

SCENE Ht,

Lic. Fie, how impatience Jowreth in your face!
Aar. His company muſt do his minions grace,
Whilſt I at home ſtarve for a merry look : |

Hath homely age-th' alluring beauty took

From my poor cheek ? then he hath waſted it.
Are my diſcourſes dull ? barren my wit ?

If voluble and ſharp diſcourſe be marr'd,

Unkindneſs blots it more than marble hard. 1

— —
— wed ere re ⁰ OO AG. in Me er a OO we I I EE EP GOO CO OE EO EA
.

161 The Comedy of 'E'\nnors.:

Do their gay veſtments his affections bat:
That's not my fault: he's maſter of my ſtate, Bo
What ruins are in me that can be found, *.

By him not ruin d? then is he the 22
Of my deſeatures. My decayed far 1 „ 1.
A Fon Ah look of his would Iden repair. * —_ Pre u
But, too unruly deer, he breaks the — v9 e e
And feeds from home; poor I am but 1 his fate.
: Lac. Self- harming jealouſie; fie, beat it hence.
Adr. Unfeeling fools can with ſuch wrongs = ak
F know his eye doth: homage other-where ; +
Or elſe what lets it but he would be here?
Siſter, you know he promis'd me a chain,
Would that alone, alone he would detainn,
be he would keep fair munen ah din bed. {il 3.6453
I fee the jewel beſt ename led
Will loſe his beauty yet the gold bides in
That others touch, and oſten touch ing will:
Since that my beauty cannot pleaſe his eye, =

2 wee what's leſt away, and weeping die.
i engen enen , ;
Ie.

SCENE W. ;

2 be STREET.
DY Eure Antipolis of Syracute.

Ant. HE gold-I gave to Dromio-is laid up
Safe at the Centuar, and the heedful fave

Is wander'd forth in care to ſeek me out.
By computation, and mine hoſt's report,
I could not Ipeak with Dromio, ſince at firſt
I — eee anne.

Enter Dromio of Syracuſe.

How now, Sir? is your merry humour alter'd ?

As you love Rrogks, — a
wy Yon

The Comedy of ERRORS. 17
You know no Centaur you receiv'd no gold ?
Your miſtreſs ſent to have me home to dinner?
My houſe was at the Phenix ? waſt thou mad,
That thus ſo madly thou didſt anſwer me?
S. Dro. What anſwer, Sir? when ſpake I ſuch a ward?
Ant. Even now, even here, not half an hour ſince.
S. Dro. I did not ſee you ſinee you ſent me hence
Home to the Centaur, with the gold you gave me.
Art. Villain, thou didſt deny the gold's receipt,
And tt me of a miſtreſs and a dinner;
For which I hope thou felt I, was diſpleas'd.
S. Dro. I'm glad to fee you in this merry vein :
What means this jeſt, I pray you, maſter, tell me?
Ant. Yea, doſt thou jeer and flout me in the teeth?
Think 'ſt thou J jeſt 7” hold, take howling and that.
"Beats Dro.
S. Dre. Hold, Sir, for God's ſake, now your jeſt is
__ earneſt;
Upon what bargain do you give it me?
Ant. Becauſe that I familiarly ſometimes
Do uſe you for my fool, and chat with you,
Your ſaweineſs will jeſt upon my love,
And make a common of my ſerious hours.
When the fun ſhines let fooliſh gnats make (|
But creep in crannies when he hides his beams:
If you will jeſt with me, know my aſpect.
And faſhion your demeanour to- my looks;
Or I will beat this method in your ſconce.
But ſoft ; who wafts us yonder? bk vl
p SCENE

Alt £2. — —_— _ * - —C@_

s low e I. ;

S. Dro. Sconce, pr you it? fo you would leave .
battering, I had rather haye it a head ; an you uſe
theſe blows long, I muſt get z ſconce for my head, and
inſconce it too, or elſe I ſhall fgek my wit in my ſhoul-
ders: but I pray, Sir, why am 1 beaten ?

Aut. Doſt thou not know ?

S. Dro, Nothing, Sir, but that I am beaten.

\ Fs „

-

>

The Comedy of Eno 18.
2 = - 3% 20

| Enter. Adriana and Laciaa.

A, Ay, ay Aniphols, look firange and frown,
Some "_ miſtreſs hath ſame ſweet, _

* $
* X
. = ,

I
Ant. Shall 1 tell you x nfl
S. Dro. Ay, Sir, and — for they 97. every F
why hath a wherefore. |
— Why, firſt for flouting me; and then wherefore,
for 2 it the ſecond time to me.
S. Was chere ever any man thus beaten out of
ſeaſon ?
When in the, why, and wherefare is neither rhime nor ;
reaſon ?
Well, Sir, I thank you. |
Ant. Thank me, Sir, for what?”
S. Dre. Marry Sir, for this ſomething that you gave 5
me for nothing.
Ant. Til make yon amends next, /to-give you nothing
for ſomething. But fay, Sir, is it dinner-time ? Tal
S. Dre, No, Sir, [ think the meat wants that 1 have.
2 In — Sir, what's that- o

"Be Well, ron Ball 'eill-be-doy.
F. Dro. If it be, Sir, eee | A
it me

| 2 45 22 *
| Ant. Well, Sr. kenn b jt in good dne, there's-
« 2 for all things. |

| Dre. J 997 ke eto youlvonre; fo

cholerick

"Ant. By — 1 Sir? . 1
S. Dre. Marry, Sir, by 3 e plain

bald pate of farther ins himſelf.
Ant. Let's hear it.

_— GG ee oe Re ͤ 2 ——

8, Dre.

—— — R n

The Comedy'of E\xrors. 1H:
I am not Adriana, nor thy wife. | + |

The time was once, when thaw unurg'dt wouldſt vow,
That never words ot muſick to thine ear, |
That never 1855 P lg in thine oye, 7 | |

— , * :

N

— — >

[ C. I There's no time for a man to recover his hair
that grows bald by nature. 9

Ant. May he not do it by fine and recovery ?

| 'S. Dro. Yes; to pay a fine for a peruke, and recover
the loſt hair of — .

Ant, Why is. Num ſuch h rd of hair, being, as it
is, ſo plentiful an excrement?

. - $. Dro. Becauſe it is a bleſſing that he beſtows on
beaſts, and what He hath ſeanted men in hair, he hath
given them in wit.

_ Why, but there' s many a man hath more hair
wit.
S. Drs. Not 4 of oſe but he ha the. wit to
» Joſs his hair. Pr * *
Ant. Why, chou dien conclude hairy men K
dealers without wit.
| S. Dre. The — dealer, the ſooner . loſt ; yet he
» loſeth it in a kind of jolli |
Ant. For what ray” |

S. Dr. For two, and ſpund ones tog,

Ant. Nay, not ſound ones, 1 pry you.

8. * Sure ones den wg . e

Ant. Nay, not ſure in a thing falſi

S. Dre. Fertan bel then. 5 8

Ant. Name them.

S, Dro. The one to fave the money * he pend. in

tyring; the other, that at dinner they ſhould not en in

1 y 2 5 eee *
Ant. You wou al t is time have ** chere is
time for all things. * II

S. Dre. barg, and did, Sir.z namely, 1c time to
A ion

„%

2 Tie Cm Enron:
That never touch well welcome to thy hand,

That never wert ſweet⸗ ſavour d in the taſte,

Unleſs I ſpake, or look d, of touch d, or carv'd. _

How comes it now,” my husband, oh how comes it, ä

That thou art thus eſtranged from thy ſelf? |

Thy {elf 1 call it, being range to mee. es

That undividabtt incorporate _ .

Am better than thy dear fe better —

Ah do not tear away thyſelf from me :

For know, my love, as eaſie may ſt thou fall

A drop of water in the breaking gulpfm,

And take unmingled thence that drop again,

Without-addition or diminifhing, . .

As take from me thy ſelf-; and not me too. 7

How dearly would it touch thee to the quick,

Should'ſt thou but hear I were licentious? | 1

And that this body, conſecrate to thee, - _ 1.

4 ruffian luſt ſhould be contaminate ? Joy ga „
ould'it thou not ſpit at me, and me, 15 x:

And hurl the ers oe in _— 1 | ol My 4

And tear the ſtain'd skin of my ÞEzrlotbrow,, / |

And from my falfe hand « — e wedding- ring

And break it with a d worcing. voWw ?

I Know thou can'ſt; and — ſee thou do 1 | i

I am poſſeſs d with an adulterete blot ! _ 7 292 |

My blood is mingled with the crime of luſt

For if we two be one and thou play wa, *

I do digeſt the poiſon of my fle I

Being r by thy contagion *. —

Keep then fair league and truce with thy true bed ; ; 5

1 live diſtain'd, thou undiſhonoured.. | |

Ant. Tip yon Ws i ws 1 know hound. ol
A:

8914

Kur.

— —

.
= as. tt
—
„„

Ant. But your reaſon was not « bail, wy, thre is

J to the world's en wil | ha bald 9
l knew 'twov'd be a bald concluſion, |
SCENE V. &c.

*

Inſect thy ſap, and live on
Aut. To me ſhe ſpeaks; ſhe _moves, meg for her

In F6befus I am but two hours old. "Fr WOE. 4299

As ſtrange unto your town as: to your talk.

Luc. Fie, brother, how the world is chang'd with you ;
When were you wont to uſe my ſiſter thus ?
Fhe ſent for you by Dromio nw to dinner.

Ant. By Dromio ?

S. Dro. By me? uy |

Aar. By thee; and thus thou didit return * Fa 1 |
That he did buffet thee, and in his blows b
Deny'd my houſe for his, me for his wife.

Ant. Did yau converſe, Sir, with this gentlewoman ?

What is the courſe and drift of your compact ?

S. Dro. I Sir? I never ſaw her till this time.

Ant. Villain, thou leſt ; for even her very words
Didſt thou deliver to me on the mart.

S. Dro. I never ſpoke with her in all my life

Ant. How can ſhe thus then call us by our names.
Unleſs it be by inſpiration ?

Aar. How il] agrees it with your gravity, ;
To counterfeit thus grofly with your ſlave,
Abetting him to thwart.me in my mood. ?
Be it my wrong, you are from me exempt,
But wrong not tkat wrong with a more contempt.
Come, I will faſten on this ſleeve of thine;
Thou art an eim, my husband, I a vine:
Whoſe weakneſs marry'd to thy ſtronger ſtate,
Makes me with thy ſtrength to communicate;
If ought poſſeſs thee from me, it 13 droſs, | :
Ulſurping ivy, brier, or idle Wand |
Who all for want of Pruning, with intruſion, ..

y confuſion. -_ +...

theam ;
What, was e to her in my dream ?

”

Or

3 —_

2 > > "_ *

=== as to your talk.
Who every word by all my wit being ſcann d,
Wants wit in all one word to underſtlnd.
Luc. Fie, brother, WT. P

"The Comedy of ER ROA. '21

— a” od” va ww. „%

22 Abe Comedy ef ER R ons,
Or ſleep I now, and think I hear all this?
What error drives our eyes and ears amiſs ?
. Until I know this fure uncertainty, |
Tl entertain the favour d fallacy.
Luc. Dromis, go bid the Dean fprexd for dinner, ® F
Aar. Come, come, no longer will I "be a fool, |
Jo put the finger i in the eye and weep,
Whit man and/ maſter laugh my woes to .
Come, Sir, to dinner; Dromio, keep the gate;
Husband, I'll dine above with you to-day,
And ſhrive you of a thouſand idle pranks ;
Sirrah, if any ask you for your maſter,
Say he dines forth, and let no creature enter:
Come, fiſter ; Dromio, play the porter well.
Ant. Am I in earth, in heav'n, or in hell?
Sleeping or waking; mad or well advis'6 ?
Known unto theſe, and to my ſelf diſguis d ?
Pl ay as they fay, and perſever ſo;
And in this miſt at all nene 0. 2 og

0 * *
— ” &
* . 2 2 ” SS 4 * 2

— 1 — r 4 2 * S td 1

5 —— fervants' ſpread for Gnrier.*
S. Dro. Oh for my beads, I croſs me fora ſinner.
This is the Fit land: oh ſpight of ſpights; |
We talk with goblins, owls, and elviſh ſprights ; -
If we obey them not, this will enſue,
They'll ſuck our breath, and pinch us black and blue,
Luc. Why prat'ſt thou to thy ſelf, N
Dromio, thou Dromio, ſnail, thou ſlug, thou ſot.
S. Dre. I am transformed, maſter, am I not? |
Ant. I think thou art in mind, and ſo am I. | |
5. Dro Nay, maſter, both in mind and in .
Ant. Thou haſt thine own form.
S. Dre. No; I am an ape.
Luc. If thou art chang d to ought, * 'tis to an wy
S. Dre. Tis true, ſhe rides me, and I long -
"Tis ſo, Iam an aſs; elſe it could never be, 0 a
But I ſhou'd know her as well as ſhe Sanus e me. ö
Ar. S come, Oe. * 15 r

» 44 4 p 7
44 oy 0

The Comedy of ERRORS. 23
8. Dro. Maſter, r rterat the gate ? |
5 ? |

Adr. Ay, let none enter, left I break. your 2 :
Duc. Come, come, Antipholiz, we dine too
[Exeunt.

:
:
:

Try : * hs 1 | |
ACT III. SCENE I.

5 The Street before Antipholis- 5 Houſe.

Enter Antipholis of Epheſus, Dromio of E.
b Pheſus, Angelo, and Balthazar,

E. ANT1iPHOLIS.

OOD Signior Augelb, you mult excuſe us:
My wife1s ſhrewiſh when I keep not hours
Say, that I linger'd with you at your ſhop |
'To ſee the making of her + carkanet,
And that to-morrow you will bring it home.
But here's a villain that would face me down
He met me on the mart, and that I beat him;
And charg'd him with a thoufand marks in gold;
And that I did deny my wife and houſe : | |
Thou drunkard thou, what didſt thou mean by this? ®
5 carkanet, 4 ee of Bracelet. |

I
ß . cram
#2—DD£Ldidſt thou mean by this ?
E. Dye. Say what you will, Sir, but I know what 1

| now, 2
That you beat me at the mart, I have Your hand to how ;
Ir- the'sKin were Parchment, and the blows you gave,
were ink, att

27 Rr 2 _ tell you what I think,

A 24 1 ene f Ennons.

|
|

*
— :
.

feaſt.

I think thou art an aſs.

< E. Dro. Marry, ſoit doth appear 3

By the wrongs 1 tuffer, and the blows I bear ;

I ſhould kick being kickt ; and being at that paſs,

You would keep from my heels, and beware of an aſs,

E. Ant. err ſad, Signior Balthazar. Pray God our

cheer
May anſwer my good will, and your good welcome. *
But ſoft 4 my door is lockt; go bid them let us in.
E. Dre. Maud, "By iaget, Marian, C Ay, Gillian |!
S. Dro. arirbin. Mome, malt borſe, capon, coxcomb,
idiot, patch.
Either get thee from the door, or fit down at the hatch ;

' Doſt thou . for wenches, that thou call'ſt for ſuch

-ſtore,
When one is one too mary? go, $ as thee from the

door. | Ade .

3 — —
2 your goed 1
BY 1 hold your dainties cheap, Sir, and your - wel-
come dear.
E. Ant. Ah, Signior Balthazar, either at fleſh or fiſh,
A table full of welcome makes ſcarce one dainty diſh,
Bal. Good Sir, is common that every churl affords. L

E. Ant, And welcome more common; for that's no-

ching but words.

» Bal. Small cheer, and good welcome, makes « mercy
„E. Ant. Ay, to a niggardly hoft, and more ſparing
But tho my cates be mean, take them tn good Ke

Better cheer may you. have, but not * better

Bur oft; wy door is lockt; Se.
* 1

* Dow] 2 js made our ; my maſter

s. i Te A from whence he came, left he
catch hold on „ feet.” |

—

e

The Comedy of ER RO RS. n
Adr. within. Who is that at the door that keeps all

this noiſe ?
S. Dro. By my troth your town 1s troubled with unruly

boys.
E. Art. Are you chere, wife ? you might have come
p before. | | Aar.

þ a * . 2

E. Ant. Who talks within there? hoa, open the door.
S. Dre. Right, Sir, I'll tell you when, an you tell
me wherefore.
E. * herefere? for my dinner: I have not din d
n
S. Dro. Nor to day here you muſt not: come again
When you may.
E. Ant. What art thou that keep'ſt me out from the
houſe I owe?
S. Dre. The porter for this time, Sir, and my name
is Dromio.
E. Dre. O villdin, thou haſt ſtol'n both mine office and
4 and my name.
The one ne'er-got me credit, the other mickle blame;
If thou had'it been Dromio to-day in my place,
Thou would'ſt have chang'd thy face for a name, or thy
name for an' aſs.
Luce. within. What a coile is there, Dromis ? who are
thoſe at the gate ?
E. Dro. Let my maſter in, Luce. Pe
Luce. Faith, no ; he comes too late ;
And ſo tell your maſter,
E. Dre. © lord, I muſt laugh ;
Have at you with a Proverb. Shall I ſet in my fa;
Luce, 1 at you with another; that s when can you
| n
S. Dre. If thy name be call'd Luce, Luce, thou haſt

anſwer'd him well.

E. Ant. Do you hear, you minion, you'll let us in,
I hope ? N

Luc. I thought to have askt you,
S. Dro. And you ſaid, no.

E. Drs:

\ =

26 The Comedy of ER RO RS.
dr. Your wife, Sir knave! go get you from the
tte. . E. Aut.

; E. . Dro So, come, | help, well fruck, done was blow £
for blow.
E. Ant. Thou baggage,” let me in. oe WT |
Luce. Can you tell for whoſe ſake? |
E. Dro. Maſter, knock the door hard.
Luce. Let him knock till it ake.
E. Ant. You'll cry for this, minion, if I beat the door
| down.
Luce. What needs all that, and a air of ſtocks in the
town ?
Adr. within. Who i is that? E..

— IO get vou from the gate,
E. Dn. If you went in pain, maſter, this knave would
go ſore.
Ang. Here is nojther cheer, Sir, nor welcome ; we
would fain have either.
Bal. Ba: . which was beſt, we ſhall part with
neither.
E. Dro. They land at the door maſter ; bid them
welcome hither. 1.
E. Ant. There's ſomething in A i we cannot
et in.
E. ** Vou would ſay ſo, maſter, if your yromiſuts
were thin.
Your 2 here is warm within: yak ſtand here 'in the i
co
It would make a man as mad as buck to be fo bought
«2s and ſold.
E. Ant. Go fetch me ſomething, 111 break ope the

S. * Break my breaking here, and In break your
knave's pate.
E. Dre. A man may break a word with you, Sir, and
words are but wind ;
Ay, and — in oY ita ſo he break it not behind.

: S. Dre.

© The Comedy of E x RORS, 27

*

F. Ant. Go, get thee gone, fetch me an iron crow.
Bal. Have patience, Sir ; oh let it not be thus. |
Herein you war againſt your reputation, y

And draw within the compaſs, of ſuſpect
Th' unviolated honour of your wife.

Once this ; your long experience of her wiſdom,
Her ſober virtue, years and modeſty,

Plead on her part ſome cauſe to you unknown ;
And doubt not, Sir, but ſhe will well excuſe
Why at this time the doors are barr'd againſt you,
Be rul'd by me, depart in patience,

And let us to the ger all to dinner,

And about evening come your ſelf alone,

To knew the reaſon of this ſtrange reſtraint.

If by ſtrong hand you offer to break in,

Now in the ſtirring paſſage of the day,

A vulgar comment will be made of it;

And that ſuppoſed by the common rout,

Againſt your yet ungalled eſtimation,

That may with foul intruſion enter in,

And dwell upon your grave when you are dead :

For ſlander lives upon ſucceſſion, ä

For ever hous'd where it once gets poſſeſſſpn.
E. Aut. You have prevail'd ; I will depart in quiet,

And in deſpight of mirth mean to be merry.

I know of excellent diſcourſe,
Pretty and witty, wild, and yet too, gentle ; |
B 2 bf There 1

1
_ —

S. Dro. It ſeems thou wanteſt breaking; out upon
thee, hind. | | |
E. Dro. Here's too much; out upon thee ; I pray thee
let me in. No
S. Dro. Ay, when fowls have no feathers, and fiſh
: have no fin. at
Et Art. Well, I'll break in; go borrow me a crow.
E. Dro. A crow without feather, maſter, mean you ſo?
For a fiſh without a fin, there's a fowl without a feather : .

If a crow help us in, ſirrah, we'll pluck a crow together,

E. Ant. Go, get thee gone, &c.

28 The Comedy of ERR oRs.

There will we dine: this woman that I mean,

My wife (but I proteſt without deſert) :

Hath oftentimes upbraided me withal ; _

'To her will we to dinner. Get you home,

And fetch the chain; by this I know tis made ;

Bring it, I pray you, to the Porcupine”;

For there's the houſe ;, that chain 1 will beſtow,

(Be it for nothing but to ſpight my wife,

Upon mine hoſteſs there, Good Sir, make haſte :

Since my own doors refuſe to entertain me.

Fll knock elſewhere, to ſee if they'll diſdain me. |
Ang. I'll meet you at that place, ſome hour, Sir
| hence. 8 | |

E. An. Do ſo; this jeſt ſhall coſt me ſome expence.

1 * IExeuut.

*

eee
The Houſe of Antipholis of Epheſus,

Enter Luciana, with Antipholis / Syraeuſe.
Luc. ND may it be, that you have quite forgot 4
| A husband's office? ſhall, Antipholis,
Ev'n in the ſpring of love, thy love-ſprings rot? -
Shall love in buildings grow ſo ruinate? |
If you did wed my fitter for her wealth, i
en 4 her wealth's-ſ:ke” uſe her. with more kind-
| * neſs; 4
Or if you like elſewhere, do it by ſtealth, —_—_
Muffle your falſe love with ſome ſhew of blindneſs ; (
Let not my ſiſter read it in your eye;
he not thy tongue thy. own ſhame's orator;
Look ſweet, ſpeak fair; become diſſloyalty:
Apparel. vice like virtue's harbinger ; | ; F
Bear a fair preſence, tho' your heart be tainted 3
Teach fin the carriage of a holy faint; «4
Be ſecret falſe: what need ſhe be acquainted ?
What ſim ple thief brags of his own attaint ?

Me Comedy F EkkOoRA

"Tis double wrong, to truant with your bed,

And let her read it in thy looks at board:

Shame hath a baſtard-fame, well managed;

Ill deeds are doubled with an evil word:
Alas poor women, make us but believe

(Being compact of credit) that you love us;
Tho? others have the arm, ſhew us the ſleeve:

We in your motion turn, and you may move us.
Then, gentle brother, get you in again;

Comfort my ſiſter, chear her, call her wife;

_ *Tis holy ſport, to be a little vain,

When the ſweet breath of flattery conquers ſtrife.
S. Aut. Sweet miſtreſs ; what your name is
| I know not,
Nor by what wonder you do hit of mine :.
Leſs in your knowledge and your grace you ſhow not,
Than our earth's wonder, more than earth divine.
Teach me, dear creature, how to think and ſpeak ;
Lay open tomy earthly groſs conceit,
Smother'd in errors, feeble, ſhallow, weak,
The founded meaning of your words deceit ;
Againſt my ſoul's pure truth why labour you,
To make it wander in an unknown field?
Are you a God? would you create me new ? -

29

elſe

Transform me then, and to your Pow'r TII yield.

But if that Iam I, then well LK now
- Your weeping iter is no wife of mine,
Nor to her bed a homage do Io Wwe;
Far more, far more to you do I decline:
Oh train me not, ſweet mermaid, with thy note,
To drown me in thy ſiſter's flood of tears;

Sing Siren for thy ſelf, and I will dote;

Spread o'er the filver waves thy golden hairs,
And as a bed I'll take thee, and there lye: |
And in that glorious ſuppoſition think
He gains by death that hath ſuch means to die;
Let love, being light, be drowned if ſhe fink.
Tuc. What, are you mad, that you do reaſon fo ?

C. Ant. Not mad, but mated ; how, I do not know.

B3

Luc.

30 TheComedy of ERROR
Lac. It is a fault that ſpringeth from your eye.
S. Ant. For gazing in your beams, fair ſun being by.
Luc. Gaze where you ſhould, and that will clear your

fight.
8. Se: As good to wink, ſweet love, as look on
night.
Luc. Wi call you me, love? call ay ſiſter ſo.
S. Ant. Thy ſiſter's fiſter,” |
Luc. That's my fiſter.
F. Ant. No; |

It is thy ſelf, mine own ſelf's better part:

Mine eye's clear eye, my dear heart's dearer heart,

My food, my fortune, and my ſweet hope s aim,

My ſole earth's heaven, and my heaven's claim.

Luc. All this thy ſiſter i is, or elſe ſhould be.
S. Ant. Call thy ſelf ſiſter, ſweet; for I mean thee «|

Thee will I love, and with thee lead my life.

Thou haſt no husband yet, nor I no Wife;

Give me thy hand.

Tac. Oh ſoft, Sir, hold you nill ; ;

II fetch my ſiſter, to get her good will. {£xit. Lue

SCENE III.

—

Enter Dromio of Syracuſe.

+ Py Why how now, Dromio, where runn'ſt tho

t? |
F. Dro. D* you. know me, Sir? am 1 Dromio i am 1

your man f am I my ſelf?

why ae” Thou art Dromio, thou art my man, thou art
S. Dre. I am an aſo, lam a woman's man and beſides

my {elf

ab What woman's man? and how beſides thy-

S. Dre. Marry, Six, beſides my (ell, I am due to a wo-

man; one that claims me, one that = me, en
will have me. :

S. Ant. What claim ays he tothe ;

Oe Sir, ſuch ee

| your

The Comedy of ERRORES. 31

your horſe, and ſhe would have me as a beaſt : not that
I being a beaſt ſhe would have me, but that ſhe being a
very beaſtly creature, lays claim to me,

§. Aut. What is ſhe ? |

S. Dro. A very reverent body ; ay, ſuch a one as a man
may not ſpeak of, without he * Sir reverence : I have
but lean luck in the match; and yet | is ſhe a wond'rous *
fat marriage, |

S. Ant. How doſt thou mean, a fat i ?

S. Dro. Marry, Sir, ſhe's the kitchen- wench, and all
greaſe, and I know not what uſe to put her to, but to
make a lamp of her, and run from her by her own light,
I warrant her rags, and the tallow in them, will burn
a Poland winter: if ſhe lives till doomſday, ſhe*11 burn
a week longer than the whole world.

S. Ant. What complection is ſhe of?

S. Dro. Swart, like my ſhoe, but her face nothing
hke ſo clean, kept; ; for why? ſhe ſweats, a man may
go over-ſhoes' in the grime of it.

S. Ant. That's a fault that water will mend.

S. Dre. No, Sir, dis in grain; Neah's flood could
not do it.

§. Ant. What's her name ?

S. Dro. Nell, Sir ; but her Name is three quarters ;
that is, an ell and three quarters will not meafure her
from hip to hip.

S. Ant. Then ſhe bears ſome breadth ?

S. Dro. No longer from head to foot, than from hip
to hip; ſhe is ſpherical, like a globe: I could find out
countries in her.

S. Ant. In what part of her body ſtands [reland ?

S. Dro. Marry, Sir, in her buttocks; I found it out
by the bogs.

S. Ant. Where Scotland ?

S. Dro. 1 found ie out by the barrenneſ hard in the
palm of her hand.

S. Ant. Where. France ?

S. Dro. In her forehead; arm'd and reverted, 3
war againſt her. hair.

S. Ant. watt” | | |
ib 14 S. Dro.

dcegę, and made me turn i“ th' wheel.

32 - "The Comedy of ERRORS.

S. Dro. I look'd for the chalky cliffs but I could find i H
no whiteneſs in them; but I gueſs, it ſtood in her Bu
chin, by the ſalt rheum that ran between France and n

* it 7 '

S. Ant. Where Spain 7
S. Dro. Faith, I faw it not, but I felt it hot in her

breath.
S. Ant. Where America, the Indies ? 5
S. Dro. Oh Sir, upon her noſe, all o'er embelliſh'd 1
with rubies, carbuncles, ſaphires, declining their rich 7

aſpect tothe hot breath of Spain, who ſent whole arma-
does of carracts to be ballaſt at her noſe. ,
S. Ant, Where ſtood. Belgia, the Netherland ? |
S. Dro. Oh, Sir, I did not look ſo low, To con-
- clude, this drudge, or diviner, laid claim to me, call'd
me Dromie, {wore I was aſſur'd to her, told me what
privy marks I had about me, as the marks of my ſheul- (
der, the mole in my neck, the great wart on my leſt
arm, that I amaz'd, ran from her as a witch. And I
think, if my breaſt had not been made of faith, and a :
my heart of flee], ſhe had transform'd me to a curtal

FS. Ant Go hie thee preſently ; poſt to the road;
And if the wind blow any way from ſhore,

I will not harbour in this town to-night.

If any bark put forth, come to the mart ;

Where I will walk ill thou return to me:

If every one knows us, and we know none,

*Tis time I think to trudge, pack and be gone.
S. Dro. As from a bear man would run for life,

So fly I from her that would be my wife. - [ Exit.

SCENE lv.

S8. Art. There's none but witches do inhabit here;
And therefore tis high time that I were hence:

She that doth call me husband, even my ſoul -_

Doth for a wife abhor. But her fair ſiſter, |

Poſſeſt with ſuch a gentle ſovereign grace,

Of. fuch inchanting preſence and diſcourſe, © -

— —

The Comedy of E RRORS, :

- Hath almoſt made me traitor to my ſelf :-

But leſt my ſelf be guilty. of ſelf wrong, |
I' ſtop mine ears 3 the mermaid's ſong.

Enter Angelo with a 4. |

Ang. Maſter Antipholis. 5
S. Ant. Ay, thats my name. |
. I know it well, Sir, lo, here's the chain,,
I chought t have tane you at the Porcupine ;
The chain unfinifh'd made me ftay thus long.
S. Ant. What is your will that I ſhall do with this?;
Aig. What pleaſe your ſelf, Sir; I have made it for.

you
S. Ant. Made it for me, Sir! I beſpoke it not: ;
Ang. B. once, nor twice, but twenty times you
ve:
Go home with it, and pleaſe your wife withal ;: KY,
And ſoon at ſupper-time PH viſit you, | rok
And then receive my mony for the chain.
S. Ant. I pray you, Sir, receive the mony now,
For fear you neter ſee chain nor mony more.
Ang. You are a merry man, Sir; fare you well.
bring
8. Ant: What I ſhould think of this, I cannot tell:
But this I think, there's no man is ſo vain-
That would refule ſo fair an offer'd chain.
I ſee a man here needs not live by ſhifts,
When in the ſtreets he meets ſuch golden gifts :
Pl! to the mart, and there for Dormis ſtay ;.

If any ſhip put out, then ſtrait away. [Exit;,

.

KS

K 5. Ker

34 woes,

ps ——— —
ACT IV. SCENE I
"The STREET.

1442 * | |
AEnter à Merchant, Angelo, and ax Officer.

| Wien r.
*

'O U know fince Pentecoſt the ſum is due
And. fince I have not much importun'd you;
ſor now, I had not, but that Iam bound
o Perſia, and want gilders for my voyage:
Therefore make preſent ſatisfaction;
Or In attach you by this officer. |
A. Ev'n juſt the fun that I do owe to you,
Is owing to me by Aut; bis 3 *
And in the inſtant that I met with you,
Ile had of me a chain; at five a clock
1 receive the mony for the ſame :
E vou but walk with me down. to his houſe,
I will diſcharge my bond. and thank. you too. 4

"Enter Antiph. Ephe. and Drom. Ephe. ar *
Ceurtexani.

© Of. That labour you may fave : ſee where he comes.
E. Ant. While I go to the goldſmith's houſe, go *
Ne that will I beſtow r,
Among my wife and her conſederates,
For locking me out of doors by day.
But ſoft ; I ſee the goldſmith : get thee gone.
Buy thou a rope, and bring it home to me.

de - * nnn, a year; I buy a rope!
[Exit Dromio.

F. Ant.

The Comedy of ERROR S. 35
E. Ant. A man is. well holp up that truſts to you:
I. promiſed your preſence, the chain :
But neither chain nor goldimith came to me:
Belike you thoughtour love wauld laſt too long
If it were chain'd together; therefore came not.
Ang. Saving your merry humour, here's the note,
How much your chain weighs-to the utmoſt carat,
The fineneſs of the gold, the chargeful faſhion, .
Which do amount to three odd. ducats more
Than I ſtand debted to this. gentleman 3 *
I. pray you ſee him preſently diſcharg d:
For he is bound to ſea, and ſtays but for it. —
E. Ant. I am not furmiſh'd with the preſent mony,
Beſides I have ſome buſineſs in the toun;
Good Signior take the ſtranger to my houſe,
And with you take the chain, and bid my wife
Diſburſe the ſum on the receipt thereof ;
Perchance I will be there as ſoon as you.
Ant. Then you will bring the chain to her your ſelf.
E. Ant. No; bear it with you, left I come not time
enough.
Ang. Well, Sir, I will, have you the chain about you ?
E Ant. And if I have not, Sir, I hope you have:
Or elſe you may return without your mony.
Anz. Nay come, I pray you, Sir, give me the din,
Both wind and tide ſtay for tho gentleman;
And I to blame have held him here too long.
E. Ant. Good lord, you uſe this dalliance to excuſe
Vour breach of promiſe to the Porcupine :
I ſhould have chid you for not bringing it ;
But like a ſhrew, you firſt begin to brawl. |
Mer. The hour ſteals on; I pray you, Sir, diſpatch.
Ang. You hear how he importunes me; the chain.
E. Ant. Why, give it to my wife, and fetch your mony.
Ang. Come, come, you know [ gave i it you ev'n now.
Or ſend the chain, or ſend me by ſome token.
E. Ant. Fie, now you run this humour out of breath:
Come; where's the chain & I pray you let me ſee it.
Mer. My buſineſs cannot brook this dalliance:
Good Sir, I. if you'll anſwer me, or no 5
| | It

; ky The Comedy of Eu AOA

If not, Dll leave him to the officer. | 6:6
E. Ant. anſwer you? why ſhould I anſwer you ;
Lg. The: mony that you owe me for the chain.
F. Ant. I owe you none till I receive the ata. -
Ang. You know I gave it you Falf an hour ſince.
E. * — gare me none 3 you Tg me much to

* * 0
Ang. You wrong me more, Sir, in denying it ;

Confider how it ſtands upon my credit.

Mer. Well officer, arreſt him at my ſuit. |

Off. I do, and charge you in the Duke's name te
me.

Ang. This touches me in reputation.

Either conſent to pay the ſum for me,

Or I attach you by this officer.

E. Ant. Conſent to pay for that I never had!

Arreſt me, fooliſh fellow, if thou dar'ſt.

Aug. Here is thy ſee; arreſt him, officer ;

I would not ſpare my brother in this caſe,

If he ſhould 2 corn me ſo apparently,

Offi. Ido arreſt you, Sir; you hear the mit.

- 'E. Ant. I do obey thee till I give thee bail.

But, firrah, you ſhall buy this ſport as dear

As all the metal in your ſhop will anſwer.

Ang. Sir, Sir, I ſhall have law in Epheſus,

To your notorious ſhame, I doubt it not.

SCENE Il.
Enter Dromio, Sira. from the bay. 4

8. Dro. There is a bark of Epidammum, N er p

That ſtays but till her owner comes aboard;

Then, Sir, ſhe bears away. Our fraugtage, Sir,

J have convey'd aboard; and I have bought

The Oy, the —— and Aqua-wvite. *

The ſhip is in her trim; the merry wind

Blows fair from land; they ſtay for nought at l.
But for their owner, maſter, and your ſelf. © -

E. Ant. How Low | 9 Why, thou peeviſh

mop, ow What

The Comedy of ERROR 8. 37
What ſhip of Epidammm ſtays for me? _
S. Dro. A ſhip you ſent me to, to hire walings. bl
E. Dro. Thou drunken ſlave, I ſent thee fora rope
And told thee to what purpoſe, and what end. \

S. Dro. Yau ſent me for a rope's-end as ſoon :-
You ſent me to the bay, Sir, for a bark.
FE. Ant. I will debate this matter at more leiſure,
And teach your ears to lift me with more heed.

To Hadrian, villain, hie thee ſtrait, | Os,
Give her this key, and tell her in che desk =
That's cover'd o'er with Turki tapeſtry 0
There is a purſe of ducats, let her ſend it : * e
Tell her I am arreſted in the ſtreet, +1)
And that ſhall bail me; hie thee, ſlave ; "$1 1G 1031
On officer, to priſon till it come, A.

S. Dre.' Adriana / that is where we din'd,
Where Dow/abel. did claim me for her huband =
She is too big I hope for me to compaſs. SY N.
Thither I muſt, altho' againſt my will, * n, I
For ſervants muſt their maſters minds fulfil. rn.

SCENE u nd ul:
v WS E. Antipholis's Houſe.
Enter Adriana and Luciana.
Ar. H Laciens, did he tempt thee ſo?

” Might thou perceive auſterely in his In.
That he did plead in earneſt, yea or no?
Look'd he or red or pale, or ſad or merrily * +
What obſervation mad ſt thou in this caſe, ce 1&7
Of his heart's meteors tilting in his face? > Nen r

Luc. Firſt he deny d you had in him. a rige. |

Adr. He meant, he did me none, the more my ſpight, |

| Luc. Then ſwore he that he was a ſtranger here. |
Aar. _ = he fwore, though yet e. 2 |

Lee, Then pete I for you, 9
a. |

=

30

l of Ennons:

Har. And what — , x

Luc. That love F 'd for you, he 'd of me.
dr. With what perſuaſion did he has; love ?
Luc. With words that in an honeſt ſuit might move,

Firſt he did praiſe my beauty, then my ſpeech.

Aar. Did ſt ſpeak him fair?
Luc: Have patience, I beſeech.
Aur. Ten i H bn ne n;

My tongue, though not my heart, ſnall have it's will,
| He is deformed, crooked, old: and ſere,

Hl-fac'd, worſe- body'd, ſhapelebs every where ;
Vicious, ungentle, fooliſh, blunt, unkind,

'Stigmatical in making, worſe in mind,

Luc. Who would be jealous then of ſuch a one?

No evil loſt, is wail'd, when it is

Adr. Ah ! but! think him . ſay,
And yet would herein others eyes were worſe,
Far from her neſt the lapwing cries away
My heart prays for him, tho? my tongue do curſe.

SCENE IV.

Euter 8 Dromio:
S. Dro. Here, go. the denk. the purk ; ſweet nove

make haſte.
Luc. How haſt thou loſt thy breath ?
S. Dro. By running faſt.
Adr. Where is thy maſter. Dromio ? is he well 8
8: Dro. No, he's in Tartar Limbo, worſe than hell; "IF
A Jevil in an everlaſting garment hath him. |
One whoſe hard heart is hutton'd up with feel

A fend, a fury, pitileſs and rough,

% ,
„

A wolf, nay worſe, a fellow all in buff;

A back-friahd, a houlder-clapper, one "that counter-
mands |

The bare of allies, creeks, and narrow lags ;

A hound that runs counter, and yet draws dry-foot well;

One that before the judgment carries Poor ſouls to hell.

. Why . what. is — 7 NI
| $. |

The: Comedy of ERROR. 39
2 Dro. I do not know the matter; he is reſted on the
e
Aar. What, is, he arreſted'? tell me at whoſe ſuit.
S. Dre. I know not at whoſe ſuit he is arreſted ; but-
| he's in a ſuit of buff which reſted him, that I can tell.
Wilt you ſend him, miſtreſs redemption, the money in
his desk ?
Aar. Go fetch it, ſiſter. This I wonder at,
Exit. Luc.
That he unknown to me ſhould be in debt!
Tell me, was he arreſted on a bond?
S. Dro. Not on a bond, but a ſtronger thing,
A chain, a chain; do you. not hear it ring?
Aar. What, the Chain ?
S. Dro. No, no; the bell; 'tis time that I were gone,

F Enter Luciana,

Aar. Go, Dromio z there's the mony, bear it ſtrait,
And bring thy maſter home immediately.
Come, fiſter, I am preſt down with conceit;

Conceit, my comfort and my nary: [Exeunt.

a 1 W . 3 __ = 1 _

— 4 —

— nd —
— ß

s . that I were one.
It was two-ere I left Kr boged ſtrikes
one.
Adr. The hour 's. came back, that I did never Hear.
S. Dro. O yes, if any hour meet a ſerjeant, it turns
back for very fear,
dds; As if Tie were in debt,. how fondly doſt thou
; „ reaſon? . '
S. Dro. Time is a very bankrout, and owes more than
he's worth.
. Nay, he's a thief too; have 2 not heard men fay,
That Time comes ſtealing on by night and day?

I Time be in debt and theft, and a ferjeant jn the way,
Hath he not reaſon to turn back an hour in a day?

Emer, &.

SCENE

2 De Comal of uno

SCENE v. N ne |
ELITES

Baer Antipholis of Syracuſe.

S. Git. ere's not a man I meet but doth ab me,
As if I were their well acquainted friend;
And, every one doth call me by my name.
Some tender mony to me, ſome invite me;
Some other give me thanks for kindneſſes;
me offer me commodities to buy.

v'n now a taylor call'd me in his ſhop, |
And ſhow'd me ſilks that ke had bought for me,
And therewithal took meaſure of my .

; = theſe are but.imaginary wiles,
, Lapland ſorcerers inhabit here.

Euter Dromio. of Syracule..

S. Dro. Maſter, here's the gold you fent me for .
what, have you got the . of old Adam new ap-
'parePd t. ">
K. Apt. Wat gold is this fo what Adam doſt thou
mean ? _

S. Dio. Nat that Alan that kept che paradiſe, but
that Adam that keeps the priſon; he that goes in the

calves-skin, that was Kill'd for the prodigal : he that
came behind you, Sir, like an evil angel, and bid you
forſake your liberty. * "

K. Ant. [ underſtand thee not: |

S8. Dre. No? why tis a plain caſe; he chat 1＋ 4
like a baſe-viol in a caſe of leather; the man,
that when gentlemen are tired gives them a fob, —
reſts them; he, Sir, that takes pity on decay'd men,
and gives them ſuits of durance ; he that ſets up his

reſt to da more exploits with his mace; than” a moris

195
” . Au.

*
*

ſpeak a long ſpoon.

The Comedy of ERRORS 41
S. Ant. What! thou mean'ſt an officer? |
S. Dre. Ay, Sir, the ſerjeant of the band; he that
brings any man. to anſwer it that breaks his bond ;
one that thinks a man always going to bed, and faith,
God give you good reſt. 2685 1
S. Ant. Well, Sir, there reſt in your foolery.
Is there any ſhip puts forth to-night ? may we be gone?
S. Dro. Why; Sir, I brought yourword an hour ſince,
that the bark Expedition puts forth to-night, and then
were you hinder'd by the ſerjeant, to tarry for the
hoy Delay; here are the angels that you ſent for, to de-
liver you. | | .
S. Ant. The fellow is diſtract, and ſo am I,
And herę we wander in illuſionn
Some bleſſed power deliver us from hence.

SCENE VI.
Enter a Courtezan.

Car, Well met, well met, maſter Antipbolis.

J ſee, Sir, you have found the goldfmith now:

Is that the chain you promis'd me to-day ? |
S. Aut. Satan avoid, I charge thee tempt me not.”
——— — . — —
® __— — — tempt me note.

$. Dre. Maſter, is this miſtreſs Satan ?
$. Ant. It is the devil. | | |

- '$. Dro, Nay ſhe is worſe, ſhe's' the devil's dam;

and here ſhe* comes in the habit of a light wench;

and thereof comes that the wenches ſay, God dam
me, that's as much as to fay, God make me a light
wench, It is written, they appear to men like an.

3 light; light is an effect of fire, and fire will

her

3 ergo, light wenches will burn; come not near

Car. Your man and you are marvellous merry, Sir.
Will you go with me, we'll mend our dinner here;

S. Dro. Maſter, if you do expect ſpoon· meat, be.
| S. Ant.

42 The Comedy of Exxon:

Cr. S. Give ma che ring of mine you had at dinner,
Or for my diamond the chain you promis'd,
And T'll be gone, Sir, and not trou you..
F. Dre. Some devils ask but the ings of one's
nail, a ruſh, a hair, a drop of A a pin, a nut,
a cherry ſtone; but ſhe more covetous would have a
| chain, Maſter be wiſe, and if you give it her, the de-
1 vil will ſhake her chain, and fright us with it.
| Car. I pray you Sir, my ring, or elſe the chain;
| 1 hope you do not mean to cheat me fo ?
ohh Ant. Avant, thou witch! come Dramio let us go.“
IeExeunt.

|
=
f

:

SCENE VII

Car. Now out of doubt Antipholis i is mad,
Elſe would he never ſo demean himſelf.
A ring he hath of mine worth forty ducats,
And for the ſame he promis mea chain;
Both om and other he denies me now. A
The reaſon that I Sather he is mad, 88 | >
(Beſides this preſent inſtance of his rage) 2
Is a mad ta le he told to-day at dinner
Of his on doors being ſhut againſt his entrance.
Beltke his wife acquainted willy is * — *

2 — .
* nn — —— — „* m —

« Ant. „ Why, Dromio? — - =
Dre. Marry, he muſt-have a 838 that muſt
(4 mi he devil
. Ant. Avoid hen ßend, what 1 thou me of

ppin

Thou art prey all} a ſorcereſs :

I conjure thee to leave me and be gone.
. * oy 2

S. Dre. — the peacock x e
SCENE vn. Se.

Here comes my man, I think he brings the mony.

The Comedy of ERRORS. 43 |

On purpoſe ſhut the doors againſt his way.

My way is now to hie home to his houſe,

And tell his wife ; that being lunatick,

He ruſh'd into my houſe, and took perforce

My ring away. This courſe I fitteſt chuſe, n
For forty ducats is too much to loſe. [Exit,

SCENE VIII.
T be STREET.

K nter Antipholis-of Epheſus 485 a Fair.

Ear me not man, I will not break away, _
I'll- give thee ere 1 leave thee ſo much.

| mony, |

To warrant thee, as I am refied for.

My wife is in a wayward moed —

And will not lightly truſt the meſſenger.

That I ſhould be attach'd in Epheſus, _

I <6 | you 'twill found harſhly 1 in her ears.

- Enter Dromio of Epheſus with hee.

1 Art.

How now, Sir, have you that I ſent you for?
E. Dro. Here's that I warrant you will pay them oy.
E. Ant. But where's the mony 7x7?
E. Dro. 2233 Sir, I gave the mony for the rope.
E. Ant. Five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope?
E. Dre, T'll ſerve you, Sir, five hundred at the rate.
E. Ant. To what end did I bid thee hie thee home?
E. rag To a ropes-end, Sir, and to that end —
return

E. Aut. And to that end, me

[Beats Dro.
Good Sir, be patient.
- Dre. Nay, ' tis for me to be patient, Iam in ad-

=y

N.

The Ce of Ex non

Off. Good now hold thy tongue.
E. Dro. Nay, rather perſuade him to hold his Mandl.
E. Ant. Thou whorſon, ſenſeleſs villain! !

E. Dro. I would I were ſenſeleſs, Sir, that I might
not feel your blows.”

F. Aut. Thou art ſenſible in nothing but blows, and
ſo is an aſs.

E. Dro. I am an aſs indeed, you may prove it by 1
my long ears. I have ſerv'd him. from the hour of
my nativity to this inſtant, and have nothing at his
hands for my ſervice: hut- blows. When I am cold,
he heats me with beating; when I warm, he coo!s
me with beating; I am wak'd with it when I ſleep,
rais'd with it when I ſit, driven out of doors with it
when I go from home, welcom'd home with it when
J return; nay I bear it en my ſhoulders, as a beg-
gar wont her brat; and I think when he hath lum'd me,
I ſhall beg ma it from door to door.

SCENE IX.

| | IH Adriana, Luciana, Courtexan and Pinch. -

1 . Ant. Come, along; my wiſe is coming yonder.
| E. Dro; Miſtreſs, refpice finem, reſpect your end, or
rather propheſie like the parrot, beware the rope "end. >
F. Ant. Wilt thou ſtill talk a [Beats Dro:..
Cur. How fay you now ? is not your husband mad?
Adr. His incivility confirms no leſs.
Good doctor Pinch, you are a conjurer,
- Eſtabliſh him in his true ſenſe again,
And I will pleaſe you what you will demand.
Luc. Alas, bow fiery and how ſharp” he looks!
Cr. Mark how he trembles in his ecſtaſie! FR
- Pinch. Give me your hand, and Jet me feel your pulſe.
Z, Ant. There is my hand, and let it feel your ear.
Pinch. I charge thee, Sata, hous'd within this man,
Is yield poſſeſſion to my holy prayers, ;
And to thy ſtate of darkneſs hie thee ſtrait,
F conjure thee by all the-faints in heav®n.
Z. Ant. Peace, doating wizard, pack inn |

Le Comedy of EnNo E. 495

Adr. Oh that thou wert not, poor diſtreſſed ſoul !
E. Ant. You minion you, are theſe your cuſtomers?

Did this campanion with the ſaffron face

Revel and feaſt it at my houſe to-day,
Whilſt upon me the guilty doors were ſhut,
And I deny'd to enter in my houſe ?
At.” Oh husband, God doth know you din'd at home,
Where wotild you had remain'd until this time,

Free from theſe flanders and this open ſhame.

E. Ant. Dir'd at home? thou villain, what ſay'ſt thou?

E. Dre. Sir, ſooth to ſay, you did not dite at home.

E. Ant. Were not my doors lock'd up, and I ſhut out?

E. Dro. Perdie, your doors were lock d, and you ſhut
Out.

E. Aut. And did not ſhe her ſelf revile me there ?

E. Dro. Sans fable, ſhe her ſelf revibd you there.

E. Ant. Did not her kitchen-maid rail, taunt, and ſcorn
me ?

| E. Dro. Certes he did, the kitchen-veſtal ſcorn'd you.

E. Ant. And did not 11 in rage depart from thence?

E Dre. In verity you did, my bones bear witneſs,

That ſince have felt the vigour of your rage.

Aar. Is't good to ſooth him in theſe contraires ?
Pinch. It is no ſhame ; the fellow finds his vein,

And yielding to him, humours well his frenzy. *
E. Ant. Thou haſt ſuborn'd the goldſmith to arreſt me.
Adr. Alas, I ſent you mony to redeem you,

By Dromio here, who came in haſte for it.

E. Dro. Mony by me? heart and good-will you might,

But ſurely maſter not a rag of mony.

E. Ant. Went not thou to her for a purſe of ducats ?
Adr. He came to me, and I deliver'd it.
Luc. And I am witneſs with her that ſhe did.

E. Dre. God and the rope-maker do bear me Ew |

That I was ſent for nothing but a rope.

Pinch. Miſtreſs, both man and maſter are

1 know it by their pale and deadly looks ;

They muſt be bound and laid in — dark room.

Z. Ant. Say, wherefore didſt thou lock me forth to-

- day,
| And

ab The Comedy of ERROR.

And why doſt thou deny the bag of gold? -
Au. I did not, gentle husband, lock thee forth. « 8
E. Dro. And gentle maſter I receiv'd no gold,

But I confeſs, Sir, that we were lock'd out.
Aur. Diſſembling villain, thou ſyeak'ft falſe in both.
E. Ant. Diſſembling harlot, thou art falſe in all,

And art confederate with a damned pack,

To make a loathſome abje&ſcorn of me:

But with theſe nails III pluck out thoſe falſe eyes,

That would behold in me this ſhameful *

da

Unter three or four, and offer to bind bom: He ferives.
* Mp bind him, bind him, let him not come near

Pinch. More company, the fiend is ſtrong within
him.
Luc, Ay me, poor man, how = and wan he looks !
FE. Ant. What, will vou murther me ? thou jailor
thou,
J am thy priſoner, wilt thou ſuffer chem 5
To make a reſcue? un |
Offi. Maſters ; let him go: |
He is my priſoner, and you ſhalt not have him.
-Pinch. Go bind this man, for he is frantick too.
Ar. What wilt thou do, thou peeviſh officer?
Haſt thou delight to ſee a wretched man
Do. outrage and diſpleaſure to himſelf ?
f. He is my priſoner, if I let him go
The debt he owes will be requir'd of me...
Adr. T will diſcharge thee, ere I go from thee 3
Bear me forthwith unto his creditor, 1
[They bind Ant. and Dro.
And Kaba how the debt grows. I will pay it. |
Good maſter doctor ſee him ſafe convey'd
Home to my houſe. Oh moſt unhappy day !
E. Ant. Oh moſt unhappy ſtrumpet !
E. Dre. Maſter, I'm here enter'd'in bond & for you,
F. Am. Ont on 18 villain! RIG doſt thou
8 mad me?
> 85 E. Dro,

„ _

We Comedy of ERROR. 47

E. Dro. Will. you be bound for nothing ? be mad,
good maſter, cry the devil.

Lac. God help poor fouls, how idly do they talk !
Aar: Go bear him hence; ſiſter, ſtay you with me.
Sax now, Whole ſuit is he arreſted at ?

. [Exeunt Pinch, Ant. and Dro.

SCENE X.
Manent Officer, Adri. Luci. and Cartezan.

Df. One Angel, a goldfmith ; do you know him?
Adr. I know the man; what is the ſum he owes ?
Off. Two hunilred ducats.

ar Aar. Say, how grows it due?
| Offi. Due for a clin your husband had of him.
ih Aur He did beſpeak a chain for me, but had it not.

Cur. When as your husband all in rage to-day
31 Came to my houſe, and took away my ring,
or (The ring I ſaw upon his finger now
Strait after did I meet him with a chain.
Aar. It may be fo, but I did never ſee it.
Come jailor, bring me where the goldſmith is,
I * to know the truth hereof at large.

SCENE XI.

Enter Antipholis Syracuſan with his rapier draws, and
Dromio Syrac. |

77 for thy mercy ! they are looſe again.
ö wi ar come with naked ſwords ; 2
e $ Gal more help to have them bound again.

Of. Away, they'll kill us. [Thy raxX out,
| Manent Ant. and Dro.

S. Ant. I ſee theſe witches are afraid of ſwords,
S. Dro. She that would be your wife, now ran from

you 2
8. Aue. Come to the Centaur, fetch our ſtuff from
* 1

48 The Comedy ERROR.
I long that we were ſafe and ſound aboard. 1
S. Dre. Faith, ſtay here this night, they will furely 7

do us no harm; you fawgthey ſpake us fair, gave us

od; methmks they are ſuch a gentle nation, that but
Re the mountain of mad fleſh that claims marriage of
me, I could find in my heart to ſtay here ſtill, and turn

witch. e |
S. Ant. I will not tay to-night for all the town, >
Therefore away, to get out ſtuff aboard, [Exeurt,

0

ACT V. SCENE I.

. Street before a Priory.

Enter the Merchant and An gelo,

| | Wee b

I Am ſorry, Sir, that I have hinder'd you.
But I proteſt he had. the chain of me,
Tho' moſt diſhoneffly he did deny it. 1

* Mer. How is the man eſteem'd here in the city?
Ang. Of very reverent reputation, Sir, |
Of credit infinite, highly. beloy'd 2885
Second to none that lives here in the city; 8
His word might bear my wealth at any time.
Mer. Speak ſoftly : yonder, as I think, he walks.

Enter Antipholis and Dromio of Syracuſe.

Ang. Tis ſo; and that ſelf chain about his neck,
Which he ſorſwore moſt monſtrouſly to have. + <
Good Sir, draw near to me, I'll ſpeak to him.
Signior Artipho/is, I wonder much |

That you would put me to this ſhame and trouble, my

*

Te Comedy of ER RRS. 49 -
And not without ſome ſcandal to your ſelf, 1
With-circumſtance and oaths fo to deny *
This chain, which now you wear ſo openly ;
Beſides the charge, the ſhame, impriſonment,
You have done wrong to this my honeſt friend,
Who but for ſtaying on our controverſfie

Had hoiſted ſail, and put to ſea to-day :

This chain you had of me, can you deny it? :

S. Ant. 1 "think I had, I never did deny it.
Mer. Yes, that you did, Sir, and forſwore it too.
S. Aut. Who heard me to deny it or forſwear it ?
Mer. ; we cars of mine thou kknoweſt did b
ee 8 1
Pie on. thee, wretch, 'tis pity that thou liy'ſt
To walk where any honeſt men reſort. . *
S. Ant. Thou e villainito impeach 1 me thus.

Tl prove mine honour and my honeſt

Againſt thee preſently, if . dar'ſt |
Mer. __ and do — for a villain,

[They draw.
"S.C:E N p "9:
E nter A Luciana, Chriezan and others.

Aus. Hold, hurt him not ſor God? s fake, be is mad 3
Some get within him, rake his Word away:

1 Bind Dromio too, and bear them to my houſe,

8. Aro. 2 maſter run, for God's lake take 'A
oute ; -
Thisis ſame _ ; in, or we are ſpoiPd. 7
* 1 [Excunt to the Privy. .

Enter Lady Abbeſe.
Abb. Be quiet people, wherefore throng you hicher ?
Ar. To fetch my poor diſtracted husband hence ;.

Let us come in, that we may bind him faſt,
And bear him home for his recovery.

Ang. I knew he was not in his perfect wits...
Mer. I'm ſorry now e draw on him. 1

3 The Comedyif ERRORS.
Ab. How long hath: this poſſeſſion held the man?
Aar. This week he hath heavy, ſower, fad,

And much, much different from the man he was:

But 'till this afternoon his paſſion 4

Ne'er brake into extremity of rage.

Abb. Hath he not loſt much wealth by wreck at ſea ?

Bury'd ſome dear friend? hathnotelſe his eye |

Stray'd his affection in unlawful love ? -

A fin prevailing much in youthful men,

Who give their eyes the liberty of gazing. - -

Which of theſe ſorrows'is he ſubject to?

Aar. To none of theſe, except it be the laſt,
'Namely, ſome love that drew him oft from home.
Abb. Yeu mould for that have reprehended him.
Ads. Why fo Ide.
A. Ay, but not rough enough,
Aar. As roughly as my modeſty would let me,
46b. Haply in private. '$-
Ar. Aud in aſſemblies too.
Atb. Ay, but not enough.
Aar. It was the copy of our conference. |
In bed he ſlept not for my urging it: |
At board he fed not for, my urging it;
Alone it was the ſubject of my theam ; ;
In company I often'glane'd at it 1%
Still did F tell him it was vile and bad. | 4
Abb. And therefore came it that the man was mad,
The venom'd clamours of a jealous woman
Poiſon more deadly than a mad dog's tooth.
It ſeems his ſleeps were hinder'd by thy railing, '
And thereof comes it that his head is light. *
Thou fay*ft his meat was ſauc d with thy upbraidings,
Unquiet meals make ill digeſtions. ;
Thereof the raging fire of fever bred ;
And what's a fever but a fit of madneſs? |
Thou ſay'ſt his fports were hinder'd with thy brawls,
Sweet recreation barr'd, what doth enſue,
* But muddy and dull melancholy, |
« Kinſmar to grim and comfortleſs deſpair,

And at her heels a buge infeQious troo p
eh 8 8

* =

The Cqmedy of, ERRORS, 51
le diſtemperatures, and foes to life? ??
In food, in ſport, and — — reſt |
To be diſturb'd would mad or manor beaſt :
The conſequence i is then, thy jealous fits
Have ſcar'd thy husband from the uſe of wits. .

Luc. She never reprehended him but mildly,
When he demean'd himſelf rough, rude, and wildly.
Why bear you theſe rebukes, and anſwer not?

Adr. She did betray me to my own reproof.
Good people enter, and lay hold on him.

Ab. No, nota creature enters in my houſe.

Aar. Then let your ſervants bring my husband forth.

Ab. Neither; he took this place for ſanctuary,
And it ſhall privilege him from your hands,

Till I have brought him to his wits again,
Or loſe my labour in aflaying it. |

Aar. I will attend my husband, be his nurſe,
Diet his ſickneſs, for it is my office,

And will have no attorney but my ſelf,
And therefere let me have him home with me.

Ab. Be patient, for I will not let him ſtir,
Till I have us'd th' approved means I have,
With wholſome ſyrups, drugs, and holy prayers
To make of him a formal man again;

It is a branch and parcel of mine oath,
A charitable duty of my order;
Therefore depart and leave him here with me,

Adr. ] will not hence, and leave my husband here;
And ill it doth beſeem your holineſs
To ſeparate the husband and the wife.

1. Be quiet and depart, thou ſhalt not have ww
= Complain unto the Duke of rkis indignity.
Aua. Come go, I will fall proſtrate at his feet,
And never riſe, until my tears and prayets
Have won his Grace to come in perſon hither,
And take perforce my husband from the Abbeſs.

Enter Merchant and Angelo.

Mer. By this I think the dial points at five :
Anon I'm ſure the Duke himſelf in perſon ©
C 2 Comes

*.

32 De Comedy of ER RORS.
Comes this way to the melancholy vale ; Ha
The place of death and ſorry. execution. |
Behind the ditches of the abbey here.
Ang. Upon what cauſe ?
Mer. To ſee a reverend Syracuſan merchant,
Who put unluckily into this bax
Againſt the laws and ſtatutes of this town,
Beheaded publickly for his offence. 5
Ang. See where they come, we will behold his death.
Luc. Kneel to the Duke before he paſs the bey. |

SCENE HI.

Enter the Date, and Zgeon bare-beaded; with the
Headjman, and other Officers. .

Duke. Yet once again proclaim it publickly.
If any friend will pay the ſum for him
He ſhall not die, fo much we tender him.
Aar. Juſtice, moſt ſacred Duke, againſt the Abbeſs
Duke. She is a virtnous and a reverend lady; |
It cannot be that ſhe hath dene thee wrong .
Aar. 11 it pleaſe your Grace, Antighalis my ha.
nd,
Whom I made lord of me and all I had,
At your important letters, this ill day
A moſt outragious fit of madneſs took him, -
Thas deſp'rately he hurry'd through the fireet,
With him his bondmen all as mad as he,
Doing diſpleaſure to the citizens,
_By ruſhing in their houſes; bearing thence
Rings, jewels, any thing his rage did like.
Once did I get him bound, and ſent him home;
Whilſt to take order for the wrongs 1 went,
That here and there his fury had committed:
Anon, I wot not by what ſtrong eſcape,
He broke from thoſe that had the puard of him,
And with his mad attendant and himſelf, -
Each one with ireful paſſion, with drawn ſwords
Met us again, and madly bent on us, 7
r all raiſing of more aid | .

*

De Comedy of ERRNORS. 33
We came again to bind them; then they fled ;
Into this abbey, whither we purſu'd them,

And here the Abbeſs ſhuts the gates on us,

And will not ſuffer us to fetch him out,

Nor ſend him forth that we may bear him hence.
Therefore, moſt gracious Duke, with thy command,

Let him be brought forth, and born hence for help.

Duke. Long ſince thy huſband ferv'd me in my wars,
And I to thee ingag'd a Prince's wo |
When thou didſt make him maſter of thy bed,
To do him all the grace and good I could.

Go ſome of you knock atthe abbey gate,

And bid the lady Abbeſs come to me.
I will determine this before I ſtir.

SCENE Iv.
Enter « Meſſenger. 8508

.. O miſtreſs, miſtreſs, ſhift and fave your ſelf;
My maſter and his man are both broke looſe,
| Beaten the maids a-row, and bound the doctor,

Whoſe beard they have ſing'd off with brands of fire ; -
And ever as it blaz'd, they threw on him ® 4
Great pails of puddled mire to quench. the hair;

My maſter preaches patience to him, and the while
His man with fciffars nicks him like a fool:

And ſure, unleſs you ſend ſome preſent help,

Between them they will kill the conjurer.
Aar. Peace fool, thy maſter and his man are here,

And that is falfe thou doſt report to us.

Me. Miſtreſs, upon my life I tell you true,
I have not breath'd almoſt fince I did ſee it.

' He crys for you, and vows if he can take you,
Jo ſcorch your face, and to disfigure you.

| . | [Cry within,
Hark, hark, I hear him, miſtreſs ; fly, be gone.
Due. Come ſtand by me, fear nothing: guard with
halberds.
Adr. Ay me, it is my huſband ; witneſs you,
That he is born about inviſible. -
| 5 C 3 Ft Ev'n

54 m. Comedy of Saat-

_ Ev'n now we hous' d him in the abbey here Th Fe
And now he” s there, pot thought of human reaſon; on!

SCENE .
Enter Antipholis and Dromio of Eph.
. moſt gracious Duke, oh grant me

Even or the ſervice that long fince I did tee,
When I beſtrid thee in the wars, and took
Deep ſcars to fave thy life, even for the blood
That then I Toft for thee, now grant me juſtice.
LEgeon, Unleſs the fear of death doth make me dote,
I ſee my ſon Artipholir, and Dromis.
E. Juſtice, ſweet Prince, againſt that woman

| ere;
She whom thou gav'ſt to me to be my wiſe ;
That hath abuſed and diſhorour'd me, .-

Ev'n in the grength and height of injury ;
Beyond imagination is the wrong
That ſhe this day hath ſhameleſs. thrown on me.
| _ Duke. Diſcover how, and thou ſhalt find me juſt.

E. Ant. @ bis day, great Duke, ſhe ſhut the doors up-

on me;
Whilſt ſhe with harlots ſea ſted in my houſe,
Due. A grievous fault; ſay woman, didſt thou ſo ?
Aar. No, my good lord; my elf, he and my ſiſter,
'To-day did dine together; ſo befal my ſoul,
As this is falſe he burthens me withal.
Luc. Ne'er may I look on day, nor fleep on night,
But ſhe tells to your Highneſs ſimple truth.
Ang. O perjur'd. woman ! they are both nn.
In this the mad-man juſtly chargeth them.
E. An. My Liege, I am adviſed what I fay.
Neither diſturb'd with the effect of wine,
Nor heady raſh provok'd with raging ire,
Albeit my wrongs might make one wiſer mad. -
This woman lock'd me out this day from dinner;
That goldimith there, were he not pack'd with her,
: Cont witnels it ; for he was with me then,

Who

„ RR CG LS

The Comedy ff ER RO RSV. BZ
Who parted with me to go fetch a chain, «
Promiſing to bring it to the Porcupine,
Where Balthazar and I did dine together.
Our dinner done, and he not coming thither,
J went to ſeek him; in the ſtreet I met him,
And in his company that gentleman.
There did this perjur'd goldſmith ſwear me down,
That I this day from him receiv'd the chain,
Which God he knows I ſaw not; for the which
He did arreſt me with an officer.
I did - obey, and ſent my peaſant home
For certain ducats 3 he * return'd,
Then fairly . I beſpoke the officer
To go in perſon with me to my houſe.
By th'way we met my wife, her ſifer, and
A rabble more of vile confederates ;
They brought one Pinch, a hungry 'lean-fac'd villain,
« A meer anatomy, a mountebank, |
A thread- bare juggler, and a fortune teller,
A needy, hollow ey'd, ſharp-looking-wretch,
A living dead man. This pernicious ſlave
Forſooth took on him as a conjurer ;
And gazing in my eyes, feeling my pulſe,
And with no face, as 'twere, out-facing me,
Cries out I was poſſeſt, Then all together _
'They fell upon me, bound me, bore me thence,
And in a dark and dankiſh vault at home
There left me and my man, both bound together;
Till gnawing with my teeth my bonds aſunder,
I gam'd my m, and immediately
Ran hither to your Grace, whom I beſeech
To give me ample ſatisſaction
For theſe deep ſhames and great Indignities.
Ang. My lord, in truth thus far I witneſs with him 3
That he din'd not at home, but was lock'd out.
* Duke. But had he ſuch a chain of thee, or no?
Ang. He had, my lord ; and when he ran in here,
Theſe People ſaw the chain about his neck.
Mer. Beſides I will be ſworn theſe ears of mine
Heard you confeſs you had the chain of him,

—

56 The Comedy of ERR ORS.
Afeer you firſt forſwore it on the mart,
And thereupon I drew my ſword on you ; 6
And then you fled into this abbey here,
From whence I think you're come by miracle.

E. Ant, I never came within theſe abbey walls,
Nor ever didſt thou draw thy ſword on me; .
I never {aw the chain, fo help me heavn;
And this is falſe you burthen me withal.

Duke. Why, what an intricate impeach is this ?
I think you all have drunk of Circes cup: |
If here you hous'd him, here he would have been,
If he were mad, he would not plead ſo coldly : |
You ſay he din'd- at home, the goldſmith here
Denies that ſaying, Sirrah, what ſay you? |
Z. Dre, Sir, he din'd with her there, at the Porca-

ine.
Cur. He did, and from my finger ſnatch'd that ring.
E. Ant. Tis true, my Liege, this ring I had of her.
Date. Saw'ſt thou him enter at the abbey here?
Cur. As fure, my Liege, as Ido ſee your Grace.
Duke. Why this is ſtrange; go call the Abbeſs hi-
1 |
I think you are all mated, or ſtark mad. |
; ; 2 [Ex: one to the Abbeſs.

SCENE vi.
LEgeon. | ap mighty Duke, vouchſafe me ſpeak a
„ W » "Is 7

ord : |

Haply I fee a friend will fave my life,
And pay the ſum that may deliver me.

| Duke. Speak freely, Syracuſan, what thou wilt.
_ Z£geen. Is not your name, Sir, 'call'd Antipholiz? *
And is not that your bond-man Dormio ? | |
E. Dre. Within this hour I was his bond-man, Sir,
But he, I thank him, gnaw'd in two my cords, |
Now am I Dormis, and his man unbound.
ZEgeon. I am ſure both of you remember me.
Ei. Dre. Our ſelves we do remember, Sir, by you;

For lately we were bound as you are now.

You

You are not Pinch's patient, are you, Sir?
Ageon. Why look you ſtrange on me? you know
me well. 1 21 | 2 g
FE. Ant. I never ſaw you in my life till now.
geen. Oh! grief hath chang'd me ſince you ſaw
me laſt. ref |
And careful hours with time's deformed hand
Have written ſtrange defeatures in my face;
But tell me yet, doſt thou not know my Voice?
E. Ant. Neither.
Ageon. Dormio, nor thou?
E. Dro. No, truſt me, nor ],
gęeon. I am ſure thou doſt. *
E. Dro. I, Sir? but I am ſure I do not; and what-
ſoever a man denies, you are now bound to believe
him. 5
geen. Not know my voice ! oh time's extremity,

Haſt thou ſo crack'd and ſplitted my poor tongue

In ſeven ſhort years, that here my only ſon
Knows not my feeble key of untun'd cares ?
© Tho' now this grained face of mine be hid
In ſap-conſuming winter's drizled ſnow,
© And all the conduits of my blood froze up; —
Vet hath my night of life ome memory, |
* My waſting lamp ſome fading glimmer left
© My dull deaf ears a little uſe to hear:
All theſe old witneſſes, I cannot err, .
* Tell me thou art my ſon Antipholis.
E. Ant. I never ſaw my Father in my life.
| ZEgeon. Bat ſeven years ſince, in Syracu/a bay,
Thou know'ſt we parted ; but perhaps my ſon,
Thou ſham'ſt acknowledge me in miſery.
E. Ant. The Duke, and all that know mein the city,
Can witneſs with me that it is notſo:
I ne'er ſaw Syracuſa in my life.
Duke. I tell thee, Syracu/an ; twenty years

Have I been patron to Antipholis,

2 op which time he ne'er ſaw Syracuſa :
I ſee thy age and dangers make thee dote.

SCENE

The Comedy of Ex RORS. | =

—— — -
_—
_— l

The Comedy of ERROR.
8 CEN E VI.

Enter the Abbeſi, with Antipholis Syracuſan and
YL Dromio Syracufan.

Abb, Moſt mighty Duke, beheld a man much wrong d,

oh " [All gather to ſee him.

Aar. I ſee two huſbands, or mine eyes deceive me.

Duke. One of theſe men is Genius to the other;

And ſo of theſe which is the natural man,
And which the ſpirit ? who deciphers them. ?

S. Dre. I, Sir, am Dromio, command him away.

E. Dre. I, Sir, am Dromio, pray let me tay.

S. Ant, Ageon, art thou not? or elſe his ghoſt ?

S. Dre. O, my old maſter ! who hath bound him

here? , ee : 1

bb. Whoever bound him, I will looſe his bonds,
And gain a huſband by his liberty.
Speak, old Ageon, if thou be'ſt the man
That hadſt a wife once call'd AZmila,

That bore thee at a burthen two fair ſons ?
Oh if thou be'ſt the ſame Agon, ſpeak ;
And ſpeak unto the fame AÆmilia.

Duke. Why here begins the morning ſtory right :
Theſe two Antipbelis's, theſe two ſo like, NF:
And thoſe two Dremio's, one in ſemblance ;

Beſides her,urging of her wrack at ſea,
Theſe plainly are the parents to theſe children,
Which accidentally are met together. 8
geen. If I dream not, thou art Emilia;
If thou art ſhe, tell me where is that ſon
That floated with thee on the fatal raſt.
A. By men of Epidamnum, he and I,
And the twin Dromio, all were taken up;
But by and by rude fiſhermen of Corint 922
By force took Dromio and my ſon from them,
And me they left with thoſe of Epidamnum.
What then became of them I cannat tell ;
I, to this fortune that you ſee me in.
Dake, Antipholis, thou cam'ſt from Corinth firſt,

S. Ant.

nd

gd,

"im.

lim

ds,

S. Ant. No, Sir, not I, I came from Syracuſe. 8
Duke, Stay, ſtand apart, I. know not which is
__- which;

E. Ant. I came from Corinth, my moſt gracious Lord.

E. Dro. And I with him.

E. Aut. Brought to this town by that moſt famorg
warrior,

Duke Menaphon, your moſt renowned uncle.

Adr. Which of you two did dine with me to-day ?
S. Ant. I, gentle miſtreſs.

Adr. And. are not you my huſband ?

E. Ant. No, I fay nay to that.

. Ant. And fo do I, yet ſhe did call meſo;

And this fair gentlewoman here

Did call me brother, What 1 told you then,

I hope I ſhall have leiſure to make good,

If this be not a dream I ſee and hear.

Ang. That 1s the chain, Sir, which you had of me;
S. Ant. I think it be, Sir, 1 deny it not.
Adr. And you; Sir, for this chain arreſted me,
Arg. I think I did, Sir, I deny it not.
Aar. I ſent you mony, Sir, to be your bail
By Dramio, but I think he brought it not.
E. Dro. No, none by me,
S. Ant. This purſe of ducats I receiv'd- from you,

And Dromio my man did bring them me:

I ſee we ſtill did megt each other's man,

And I was ta'en for him, and he for me,

And thereupon theſe errors all aroſe,

E. Ant. Theſe ducats pawn J for my father here.
Dake. It ſhall not need, thy father hath his life.
Cur. Sir, J muſt have that diamond from you.
E. Ant. There take it, and much thanks for my
good cheer.
Abb. Renowned Duke, - vouchſafe to take the pains
To go with us into the abbey here,
And hear at large diſcourſed all our fortunes ;

And all that are aſſembled ia this place,

That by this ſympathiz'd one day's error
Haye

The Comedy of Ex RORS, 85 89

=
oli enm—_— - —— ————_ — - — —
= *

60 Te Comedy of ER R ors,
Have ſuffer'd wrong; go, keep us company,
And ye ſhall have full Draftion, | 2
Thirty three years have I been gone in travel
Of you my ſans, and. till this preſent hour

My heavy burthens are delivered;
The Duke, my huſband, and my children both,
And you the kalenders of their nativity, |
Go to a goſſp's feaſt, and go with me,
Aſter ſo long grief ſuch nativity!

Duke. With all my heart Fll goſſip at this feaſt,

; een i.
Manent the two Antiph, and two Dromio's.

F. Dro. _— ſhall I fetch your Stuff from ſhip-

board? |

E. Ant. Dromio, what ſtuff of mine haſt thou im-

bark d? 5 i

S, Dre. Your goods that lay at hoſt, Sir, in the Centaur.

S. Ant. He ſpeaks to me; I am your maſter, Dromio.
Come go with us, we'll look to that anon; 4
Embrace thy brother there, rejoice with him. [ Exit.

S, Dye. There is a fat friend at your maſter's houſe,
That kitchen'd me for you to-day at dinner :

She gow ſhall be my ſiſter, not my wife. —
E. Dro. Methinks you are my glaſs, and not my
brother : 8

| ; BY
I ſee by you I am a ſweet fac'd youth.
Will you walk in to fee their goſſiping?
S. Dye. Not I, Sir; you're my elder.
E. Dro. That's a queſtion : zi
How ſhall I try it? a ö
S. Dro. We'll draw cuts for the ſenior :
Till then, lead thou firſt, :
E. Dre. Nay, then thus Embracing.
We came into the world like brother and brother:
And now let's go hand in hand, not one before ano-
| ther, [Exeunt,

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By Mr. WillLiaM SHAKESPEARs j
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LONDON:

Printed for J. TO SON, and the reſt of the
PROPRIETORS; and ſold by the Bookſellers
of London and Weſtminſter.

MDCCXXXIV.

Dramatis Perle,

F ;

DON PEDRO Pac Arragon,

Leonato, Governor of Mefling:

Don John, Baſtard-Brother to Don Pedro,

Rd! a" young Lord of Florence, Favorite: ro Dn ]
|

Benedick, 4 young Lord of Padua, 2 likewiſe by
Don Pedro.

Balthafar, Servant to Don pedro. ,

Antonio, Brother ts Leonato. 8

Borachiq, Carfident to Don Johnn.

N — Friend to Borachio. # |
vole on PF , F
| Innogen, wife to Leone. - 18
Hero, Daughter 10 Leanato and 2 9
Beatrice, Neice o Leonata. A
Velaw, ] two — 7 on Hero: S
1 Friar, Meſſenger, Watch, Nass N
ans Attendants.
SCENE Meſs.” - | b
1 C
De Story from Arioſto, Orl. Fur. J. . |
8 tf
fe

Much d

>» Much Ado about Nothing.
W 2 1

ACTI SCENE IL.
A Court before Leonato's Houſe. |

Enter Leonato, Innogen, Hero and Beatrice with

4 Meſſenger.

LEON AT o.

earn in this lerter, that Don Pedto of
Arragon comes this nipht to Meſſina-
Meſſ. He is very near by this; he was
not three leagues off when left bim.
Leon. How many gentlemen have
you loſt in this action? N
Meſſ. But few ot any ſort, and none *
of name.
Leon. A victory is twice it ſelf, when the atchiever
briogs home full numbers; 1 find here that Don Pedro?
hath beſtowed much honour on. a young Florentine, call'd

—

o,

—

Claudio.

Me. Much deſerved on his parr, and equally re-
membred by Don Pedro: be hath born bimſelf beyond
the promiſe of his age, doing in the fi ure of a lamb tie

„feats of a lion ; he hath indeed better better d expect
0 = tion; than you muſt expect of me to teil you how.

Leon. He hath gn uncic here in Meta will be very

mach glad of it.
< A 2 5 Me.

=-

4 Mvcn Apo about NortniNG.

- Meſſ 1 have already delivered bim letters, and there
appears much joy in him, even ſo much, that joy could
pot ſhew it ſelf modeſt. -enough, x Smt a badge of
bitterne(s, |

Leon. Did he break. out into tears? |

Meß. In great meaſure,. ji 07

Leon. A kind overflow of kindneſs; there: are no
faces truer than thoſe that are fo waſh'd; how much
better is it to weep at joy. than to joy at weeping?

Beat. I pray you, is Signior Montunto return d from

wars or no ?

../Mefſ. I know none of that name, Lady; there Was
none uch in the army of any ſort.

Leon. What is he chat you ask for, neice? e?

Here. My couſin means ** Benedict of radu.

4. 0 he's returt d, and as pleaſant 1 ever he

Beat. He ſet up his bills here i in Meſa, SY chal-
leng'd/Cypid at the flight; and my uncle's fc] reading
the challenge; ſubſcrib'd for Cupid, and challeng d bi m at
the bird · bolt. I pray you, how many: hath be kill d
and eaten in theſe wars? but how many hath he kill'd?
for indeed I promiſe to eat all of his killing.

Leon, Faith, neice, you tax Signior Benedick too much;
but he'll be meet wich you, I doubt it not,

Meſſ. He hath done good ſervice, 1409» in theſe
Wars,

Beat. You had muſty victuals, and he bath help to
eat it; he's a very. valiant trencher-man, be bath an ex-
cellent ſtomach.
Mefſ. And;a good ſeldier too, Lady.

Beat, And a good. ſoldier to a lady? but what is, be
to a lord?

M. A lord to a lord, a man to a man, ſtufe..with
all heoourable-virtoes.

Beat. It is ſo indeed, he is no Lf ohen, a fluſt man :
bur for the ſtuffing well, we are all mortal.

Leon. You muſt not, Sir, miſtake wy neice; there
is a kind of merry war, betwixt. $:2nior Benedick and
her;; they ne ver , bat chere 3 Ab mich of wit be⸗
tween them. 0 40 £1142.

%.

Boat

%

Mucmw Apo au NoturnG, 5

Beat. Alas, be gets nothing by that. In our laſt con-
fl, four of his five wits went balting off, and cow is
the whole man govern'd with one: So that, if he have
wit enough to keep himſelf arm, let him bear it for a
difference between himſelf and his horſe, for it is all the
wealth that he hath left, to be known a'reaſonable crea-
ture. Who is his companion n now ?' ab every moath
a new ſworn brother. |

M. Is it poſſible 7

Beat. Very afily poſſible; he wears his. faith but as
— - copay of his bat, it ever changes with the next

c

Meſſ.” I ſee, Lady, the gentleman is not in your books,
Bea. No; if he were I would burn my ſtudy. But
I pray you who is his companion? is there no young
A that n make a voyage with kim to the

vi L

A He is moſt in the company of the right noble.

— O lord, be will hang upon bim like # diſcaſs;
ke is ſooner caught than the peſtilence, and the taker
runs preſently mad. God help the noble Claudio, if he
have caught the] Bivedick, it will coft- him a, *
pound ere it he eur d.

Meſſi Twill hold friends with you. Lady.

Beat. Do friend,

Don. Y er neice;

Beat No, not till a anuary.
Me. Don edis is appr ivy
Enter Den Pedro, Claudio, * Balthazs and.

Don u.

Pedro. Good 1 Leonato, you are come to meet
your trouble: the faſhion of the world is to ayoid coſt,
and you encounter it.

Leon. Never came trouble to my houſe in the like-
neſs of your Grace; for trouble being gone, comfort
ſhould remain; but when you depart From me, forrow.
abides, and happineſs takes his leave.

- Ptdyo, You embrace your charge moſt willingly : +
Khink this is your daughter.
Teen. Her mother hath many times told me ſo.

Bene. Were you in doubt, that you ask'd her?

V A.3

living?

6 Mock A Do ö Noruine.
4 Signior Benedick, no, for then were you 2
ud. 2
Pedro, You have it full Benedick, you may 14 by
this what you are, being a man: truly the lady fa.
thers her ſelf; be happy, lady, for you are like an ho-
c 1507 299. 0, 990,
. Bene, If Signior Leonato be her father, ſhe would
not have his head on her ſhoulders for all Mefine, as
Ike him as fhe is. | ; Aan
Beat. I wonder that * will ſtill be talking, Signior
Benedick, no body marks you, 6
Rene, What, my dear lady Diſdain! are you yet

a
=

Beat. Is it poflible diſdain ſhould die, while ſhe
bath ſuch meet food to feed it, as Signior Benedick?
eourtaly it (elf muſt convert to diſdain, if you come
in her preſence, _ nt PA
Dene, Then is courteſy a turn-coat; but it is cer-

| rain I am lov'd of all ladies, only you i wo z and

f

35

I would I could find in my heart that I
hard heart, for truly I love none.
Heat. A dear happineſs to women, they would elſe
have been troubled with a pernieſeus Tuitor. I thank
God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for
that; 1 had rather hear my dog bark at a crow, than
2 man ſwear he loves me. |

Bene. God keep your lady tip ſtilL in that mind, ſo
ſome gentlemen or other ſhall ſcape a predeſtinate
ſcratcht face. | 1

PDeat. Scratching could not make it worſe, if *twere
ſach a face as yours were, 4 |

Bene, Well you are a vare parrot teacher,

. Beat. A bird of my tongue is better than a beaſt of
ours. ks;

- Bene, I would my horfe had the d of your
tongue, and ſo good a continuer; but keep your way
a God's name, I have done. er 07, MYERS

Beat. You always end with a jade's trick, I know

you of old. - .

-

Pedro. This is the ſum of all: Teonato, $ignior
Claudio, and Signior Benedick; my dear friend Lern-
to bath inyized you all; I tell him we ſhall ſtay here

as. ial

=

[

w f

Muck Apo boat NoTHING, 7

at the leaſt a month, and he heartily prays ſome oc-
caſion may detain us longer: I dare ſwear he is no
hypocrite, but prays from his heart.

Leon, If you ſwear, my lord, you ſhall not be for-
ſworn, Let me bid you welcome, thy lord, bein
reconciled to the prince your brother; 1 owe you all
duty. fa 43 A

Fohn, I thank you, Iam not of many words, but
I thank you.

Leon. Pleaſe. it your grace lead on?

Pedro, Your hand Leonato, we will go together.

FExennt all but Benedick and Claudto.
Claud. Benedick, didſt thou note the daughter of
Signior Leonato ? 8

Bene. I noted her not, but 1 look 'd on her.
Claud. Is the not a modeſt young lady >

Bene. Do you queſtion me, as an honeſt man ſhould
do, for my ſimple true judgment ? or would you have
me ſpeak aſter my cuſtom, as being a profeſſed tyrant
to their ſex?

Claud. No, I pry'thee ſpeak in ſober judgment.

Bene, Why i'faith methinks ſhe is too low for an
high praiſe, too brown ſor a fair praiſc, and too lit-
tle for a great praiſe; only this commendation I can
afford her, that were ſhe other than ſhe is, ſhe were
unhandſome; and being no other but as ſhe is, 1 do
not like her. . |

Claud. Thou think't I am in ſport, 1 pray thee
tell me truly how thou lik'f her.

s Bone, Would you buy her, that you enquire after
er? | |
Claud. Can the world buy ſuch a jewel?

Bens. Vea, anda caſe to put it into; but ſpeak you
this with a ſad brow? or do you play the —
jack, to tell us Cupid is a good hare-finder, and Vul-
can 2 rare carpenter? come, in what key ſhall-a man
take you, to go in the ſong ? |

Claud. In mine eye, ſhe is the ſweeteſt lady that 1

ever look'd on.
Bene, I can ſee yet without ſpe&acles, and I ſee no
ſuch matter; there's her couſin, if ſhe were not poſ-
ſelt with ſuch a fury, exceeds her as much in beauty,
A 4 as

\

38 Moch Apo about NoTHING.

as the firſt of May doth the laſt of December : but 1
hope you have no intent to turn hüsband, have you!
Claud. I would ſcarce truſt my ſelf, though I had
fſworn'the contrary,” if Hero would be my wife,
Bene. lat come to this,” in faith? hath-nor the world
ene man, but he will wear his cap with fuſpicion!
ſhall I never ſee a batehelor of threeſcore again? go
to i' faith, if thou wilt needs thruft thy neck into a
oke, wear the print of it, and ſigh away Sundays:
ook Don Pedro f retyura'd to ſeek out.
Re-enter Don Pedro and Don John.
Pedro. W hat ſeeret hath held you here, that yeu fol-
low'd not to Leonato's hquſe
Bene, I would your Grace would conſtrain me to tell:
Fedro. I charge thee on thy allegiance. :
Bene, You hear, Count Claudio, I cannot be ſecret
as a dumb man, I would have yon think ſo; but on
my allegiance» mark you this, on my allegiance, he
is in love; with whom? now that is your Grace's
part: mark how ſhort his anſwer is, with Hero, Teo
xato's ſhart daughter. een e *
Claud. If this were fo, ſo were it uttered.
Bene. Like the old tale, my lord, it is not fo, nov
*twas not ſo; but indeed, God forbid it ſhould be ſo.
Claud. If my paſſion change not ſhortly, God for-
bid it ſhould be otherwiſe, * bg e
Pedro. Amen, if you love her, for the Lady is ye.
ry well worthy. | ot n
Claud. You ſpeak this to fetch me in, my Lord.
Pedro. By my troth I ſpeak my thought.
Claud. And in faith, my Lord, I ſpoke mine.

Bene. And by my two faiths and troths, my Lord.

1 ſpeak mine.
Claud. That I love her, I feel.
Pedro. That The is worthy, I know. of
Bene. That I neither feel how ſne ſhould. be loved,
nor know how ſhe ſhould be worthy, is the opinion

that fire cannot; melt out of me; I will die in it at

the ſtake.
Pedro. Thou waſt eyer an obſtinate heretick ia the
deſpight of þeauty. . age:
* a 5 Cl aud.

—
”

Mu cx Apo about Nor HIN. 9

Claud. And never could maintain his part, but in
the force of his will.

Bene. That a woman conceived me, I thank her;
that ſhe brought me up, I likewiſe give her moſt hum-
ble thanks: but that 4 will have a recheate winded in
my forehead, or hang my bugle in an inviſible bald-
rick, all women ſhall pardon me; becaule I will nor.
do them the wrong: to miſtruſt any, I will do my.
ſelf the right to truſt none; and the fine is, for the
which I may go the finer, I will live a batchelor,

Pedro, I ſhall ſee thee, ere Idie, look pale with love.

Bene. With anger, with ſickneſs, or with hunger,
my lord, not with love: prove that ever I loſe more.
blood with love, than I will get again with drinking,
pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker's pen, and

ang me up at the door of a brothebhouſe for the:
ſign of blind 9 |

Pedro. Well, if ever thou doſt fall from this faith,
thou wilt prove a.notabie argument. -

Bene. If 1 do, hang. me in a bottle like a cat, and
ſhoot at me, and he that hits me, let him be clapt on
the ſhoulder, and call'd Adam. |

Pedro. Well, as time ſhall try; in time the ſavage
bull doth bear the yoke. x2 .Þ |

Bene. The ſavage bull may, but if ever the ſenſible
Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's-borns, and ſec
them in my forehead, and let me be vilely painted;
and in ſuch. great letters as they write, Here js good.
Horſe to hire, let them ſigniſie under my ſign, Here
you may ſee Benedick the mary d man.

Claud, If this ſhould ever happen, thou would'ſt
be horn -· mad. | |

Pedro. Nay, if Cupid hath not ſpent all his quirer-
in Venice, thou wilt quake for this-ſhortly,

Bene, I look ſor an earthquake too then. |
Pedro, Well, you will cemporize with the hours; in
the mean time, good Signior Benedick, repair to Leo- |
»ato's, commend me to him, and tell him I will nor.
fail him at ſupper, ſor indeed he hath made great pre-

paratron, - is 3% ;

Bene. I have almoſt matter enough in me for ſuch
an ambaſſzge, and ſo I. commit you,

. nw A 5 Claud.

10 Mvcn Apo abut NOTHING.
Oland. To the tuition'of God, From my houſe, if
I had it. „ n HOTOU 7 n
3 1. The fixth of July, your loving friend, Be-
Bene. Nay, mock not, mock not; the body of your
diſcourſe is ſometime guarded wich fragments, a the
guards/are but flightly baſted on neither: ere you
ut old ends any further, examine your conſcience,
and fo leave you, Wo Worn Wore. e.
Claud, MyLiege, your hi, hneſs now may dome good.
Pedro. My love is thine to teach, teach it below.
And thou alt ſee how apt i is to leaaRn
Any hard leſſon that may do thee good.
Claud. Hath LZeonato any fon, my lord?
Pedro. No child but Hero, ſhe's his only heir: ; 0
Doft thou affect her. Claudio? 3
Claud. O my lord, ROT.
When you went onward on this ended action
I look' upon her with a ſoldier's eye,”
That Hk'd, but had a rougher task in hand
Than to drive liking to the name of love;
But now Iam retun'd, and that war-thoughts: '' |
Have left their places vacant ; in their rooms.
Come thronging ſoft and delicate defires,
AH prompting me how fair young Hers is,
Say in 1 d ber ere I went to ware, £
Pedro. Thou wilt be like a lover preſently, |
And tire the hearer with a book of words: ,
1f thou doſt love fair Hero, cherifh it,
And I'll break with her: was't not to this end;
That thou began'ft to twiſt ſo fine a tory?
Claud. How ſweetly do you miniſter to love,
That know love's grief by his comple&tion!
Bat leſt my 8 might too ſudden ſeem,
1 would have ſalv'd it with a longer treatiſe.
Pedro. What need the bridge much broader than
the flood? : ey WIG
The faireſt grant is the neceſſity; | |
Look what will ſerve, is fit; tis once thou Toveſt;.
And F will fit thee with the remedy,

1 know we ſhall have revelling to-night,
L wil aſſume thy paxt in ſome diſguiſe, ©2046?

14

And

Mver Apo about NOTHING. 11

if And tell fair Here 1 am Claudio,

And in her boſom I'll unclaſp my heart,
. And take her hearing priſoner with the force
| And ftrong encounter of my amorous tale:
ur Then after to her father will I, break, _ ©,
bs And the concluſion is, the. ſhall be thine :

u In practice let us put it preſentiy. [Exeunt.
e, Ne. enter Leonato and Antonio. 4
t, Teon. How now brother, where is my couſin your
d. ſon? hath be provided this muſick? _-.

, Ant. He is very buſy about it; but brother, I can

tell you news that you yet dreanꝭ d not of.
Leon. Are they good? |
Ant. As the event ſtamps them; but they have a
good cover they ſhow well outward. The Prince
and Count Claudio, walking in a thick pleached alley
in my orchard, were thus over-heard by a man of
mine: the Prince diſcover'd to 6laudzo. that he lov'd
my neice your. daughter, and meant to ackuowledge
it this night in a dance; and if he found her accor--
dant, meant to take the preſent time by the top, and
inftanily break with you of it. .
Leon. Hath the fellow any wit that told you this?
Ant. A good ſharp fellow. I will ſend for him, and
queſtion him your ſelf. | |
Leon, No, no; we will hold it as a dream, till it
1 8 it ſelf: but I will acquaiot my daughter with
all, that ſne may be the better prepared for anſwer,
it peradventure this be true; go you and tell her of
it: douſins, you know what you have to do. O, I
«cry you mercy, friend, go you with me and I will
uſe your skill; good couſin have a care this buſie
7 x , [Exceant..

Enter Don John and Conrade;
Conr. What, the good year my lord, why are you
thus out of meaſure lad? *
John. There is no meaſure in the occaſion that:

breeds, therefore the ſadneſs is without limit.

Conr. You ſhould: hear reaſon,

Fohn, And when 1 have heard it, what bleſſikg⸗
bringeth it? | |

Conre. If not a preſent remedy, yet a patient ſuf-
foranse.. Form:

1 Moch ADo about Norte.
Jobn. 1 wonder that thou (being, as thou ſay'ſt

1

a Jon make your ſelf; it is needful that you frame
the

eaſon for your own harveſt,

* I had rather be a canker in 4 hedge, than.a
r

not to ſing in my cage: if 1 had my mouth, I would

bite; if I had my liberty,” I would do my liking: in
the mean time let me'þe that I am, and ſeek not to al-
rer me. . 71 * 5 ( 3
Conr, Can you make no ufe of your diſcontent ?
John, 1 will make all uſe of it, for I uſe it only.
Who comes here > what news, Borachio? | |
Enter Borachio. 7
Bora. I came yonder from a great ſupper; the.
Prince, your Brother is royally entertain'd by Zeo-.
nato, and 1 can give yon intelligence of an intended.
marriage, | a
John. Will it ſerve for any model to build miſchief
on? what is he for a fool that betroths himſelf to
quietneſs ? | . *
Bora, Marry it is your 8 hand.

—
N CA

*

„ 4

+

John. Who, the moſt exquiſite Claudio? *

Bora. Even he.

John. A proper Squire; and who, and who? which |

way looks he?
Ira.

a

KA N A

Bera. Marry on Hero, the daughter and heir of Leo-
naps 14s - id; 1199 |
John. A very forward. March chick! How come you

Born, Being entertain'd for a perfumer, as I was
ſmoking in a muſty room, comes me the Prince and
Claudio hand in hand in ſad conference: I whipt be-
hind the arras, and there heard-it agreed upon that the
Prince'ſhould woo Hero for himſelf, and having obtain'd
her,- give her to Count Claudio. a6

ohn. Come, come, let us thither; this may prove
food to my diſpleaſure : that young ſtart-up hath all
the glory of my overthrow; if I can croſs him any
. I bleſs my ſelf every way; you are both ſure,
and will aſſiſt me? WO Foe SMC |
Con. To the death, my lor. ö

John. Let us to the great ſupper, - their cheer is the:
greater that I am ſubdu'd ; would the cook were of
my mind: ſhall we. go prove what's to be dene?

Bora. We'll wait upon»your lordſhip, [Exeunt,

—

Inter Leonato, Antonio, Innogen, Hero, Beatriee,.

g Margaret and Urſula. iy

LEON ATO....

s not Count John here at ſupper?
Ast. 1 ſaw bim not; .
a Feat. How tartly that gentleman looks!
1 ca never ſee him, but I am heart-burn'd,
an hour after.
er. He is of a very melancholy Diſ-

poſition. n

Boas,

|
|

' way looks he?

' 14- Mock Apo about. Noruine:
Jobn. 1 wonder that thou. (being, as thou ſay'f

thou art, born under Saturn) goeſt about to apply a
moral medicine to a moriitying e I cannot -
hide what I am: I muſt be ſad when 1 have cauſe,

merry, and claw; no man in his humour.
enr.. Yea, but, you muff not make the full

»4 334.5

that you

the 2 for your own ha 1
7 I had rather be à canker in a hedge, than a 4

roſe.in, bis

nat to ſing in m e: if I had my mouth, I would
dire; fl 4 y libet , I would do my liking: in
the mean time let me bè that I am, and ſeek not to al«
ter me. ' 4 93 3 Sa

Conr, Can you make no ufe of your diſcontent ?

John. I will make all uſe of it, for I uſe it only.
Who comes here what news, Borachio? | |

Enter Borachio.

Bora. I came yonder from a great ſupper; he. , |

Prince, your Brother is royally entertain'd by Zeo-

nato, and 1 can give yon intelligence of an intended.

marriage, :
John, Will it ſerve for any model to build miſchief

on? what is be for a fool that betroths bimſelf to .

quietneſs ? | feb E Kat 2-4
Bora, Marry it is your brother's right hang.
John. Who, the moſt exquiſite Claudio ? * L A
Bora. Even he. | 4 5

John. A proper Squire; and Who, and who? which |

Bore;

ene

Mvcm Apo about: No nHITN e. 1

Bera. Marry on Hero, the daughter and heir of Leo-
nales. Ane. -
John. A very forward: March chick! How come you.”
to this?- X Ts 72 2 6

Born, Being entertain'd for a perfumer, as I was
ſmoking in a muſty room, comes me the Prince and
Claudio hand in hand in fad conference: I whipt be-
hind the arras, and there heardiit agreed upon that the
Princs ſhould woo Hero for himſelf, and having obtain'd
her, give her to Count Claudio. 2:6

Fohn, Come, come, let us thither, this may prove
food to my diſpleaſure : that young ſtart-up hath all
the glory of my overthrow; if I can croſs him any
why: I bleſs my ſelf every way; you are both ſure,.
and will aſſiſt me? nn n |

Conr. To the death, my lord. N

John. Let us to the great ſupper, - their cheer is the:
greater that I am ſubdu'd ; would the cook were of
my mind: ſhall we- go prove what's to be dene?

Bara. We'll wait upon, your lordſhip, [Exeunt,

A NC 6 SN J)
—% V. 2 S þ — / . 72 .
— 2 „7 x FIFAFEN
%

IJ
"

CT IL SCENE I
| Leonato's Houſe.

Inter Leonato, Antonio, Innogen, Hero, Beatriee,.
Margaret and Urſula, ©

x

A
.
—

LEON.AT.O....

48 not Count John here at ſupper ?-
LA. I ſaw bim not. i
Va: Bear. How tartly that gentleman looks!
1 can never ſee him, but Iam heart · burn'd.
an hour after, |
Fer. He is of a very melancholy Diſ-
. poſition, | | 8

"Bear,

14 Mucu ADo abα⁰ẽ,tid oN.

Beat. He were an excellent man that were made
juſt in the mid-way between him and Benedict; the
one is too like an image, and ſays nothing; and the
other too like 8 eldeſt ſon, eyermore tatliog,
| Leon. Then half Signior Benedick's tongue in Count
John's month, and half Count John's melancholy in
Signior Benedick's ae _—_—_—— yd 1 WH mas
Beat. With a good leg, and a good foot, uncle, and
mony enough in his pauſe, ſuch a man would win a-
ny woman. in the world, if he could get her good-will,
Laon. By my troth, neice, thou wilt never get thee
a husband, if thou be ſo ſhrewd of thy tongue.
Ant. In faith fhe's to curft, 4
Beat. Too curſt is more than curſt, I ſhall leſſen
God's ſending that way; fer it is ſaid, God ſends a
eurſt cow ſhort borns, but to a cow too curſt he ſends
none. $84; 48; 7 N
Leon. So by being too curſt, Qod will ſend you no
ras. 7 * a > "NS Weri57" . 1
. Beat. Jufb,. if be fend me no husband, for the which
_- Blefling I am at him upon my knees every morning
and evening: Lord! I couid not endure a husband
with a beard on his face, 1 had rather lie in wool-

len. 1 |

beard, | | ner bas

Beat. What ſhould I do with him? dreſs him in my
apparel, and make him my Waiting-gentlewoman 2 he
that hath a beard is more than a. youth, and he that
| hath no beard is leſs than a man; and he that is more
than a youth, is not fit for me; and he that is leſs than
a man, I am not for him: therefore I will even take
fix pence in earneſt of the bearherd, and lead his apes
into hell. nn ihe T abi rates

Leon, Well then, 90 you into he J. ö
Beat. No, but to che gate, and there will the devil
meet me like an old cuckold, with his horns on his
head, and ſay, get yon to heaven; Beatrice, get you
to heav'n, here's no place for you maids: ſo deliver F
up my apes, and away to St. Peter, for the head ns;
ke ſhews me where the batchelors fit, and there live
ve as merry. as the day is long, p

N | 758 Anti

3 18.

Leon, You may light upon 2 husband that hath no

c

ö Men Apo abut Nor HIN. tf

ade Ant. Well neice, I truſt you will be rul'd by your
the father. © © | [To Hero..
the Beat. Tes, faith, it is my couſin's duty to make
ng. curtſie, and ſay, as it pleaſe you; but yet for all that,
ant couſin, let him be a handſome fellow, oz elſe make
1n andther curtſie, and ſay, father, as it pleaſes me.

Leon, Well neice, I hope to fee you one day fitted
nd wirh a husband. 2
As Beat. Not till God make men of ſome other metal
l. than earth; would it not grieve a woman to be over-
ee malter'd with a piece of valiant duſt? to mike account

of her life to 4 clod of way-ward marle } no, uncle,
I'll none; Adam's ſons are my brethren, and truly I

R hold it a fin to match in: my kindred, .
a Leon, Daughter, remember what I told you; if the
5 Prince do follicit you in that kind, you know your

anſwer.
Bent. The fault will be in the muſick, coufin, if you
be not woeo'd in-gbod time; if the Prince be too im-
portunate, tell him there is meiſure in every thing,
and ſo dance out the Anſwer; for hear me, Hero, woo-
ing, wedding, and repenting, is a Scorch jig, a meaſure,
and'a cinque-pace; the firſt ſuit is hot and haſty, like
a Scotch jig, and full as fantaſtical z; the wedding man-
nerly modeſt; as a meaſure, full of ſtate 'and anchen-
try; and then comes repentance, and with his bad legs
falls into the cinque-pace faſter and faſter, till be finks.
into his grave.
Leon, Couſin, you apprehend paſſing ſhrewdly.

Beat. IT have a good eye, uncle, I can ſee a church
by day-light,
Leon. The revellers are entring, brother ; make good:
room, -
Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick, Balthazar,
.. _ and others in Maſquerade,
Pedro, Lady, will you walk about with your friend?
Hierro. So you walk ſoftly, and. loek ſweetly, and ſay
nothing, Fam yours for the walk, and eſpecially when
L walk away. |
Pedro. With me in your company >
Hero, I may ſay ſo when I pleaſe.
Fearo, And when pleaſe you to ſay ſo ?

11 Mock Apo about Nor HIN o.

Mould be like the caſe.

9 Why then your viſor ſhould be thatch d.
Pedro. Speak low, it you ſpeak loye.
Bene, Well, I would you did like me.

many ill ualities,
Bene. Which is one J
Marg. lay my Prayers aloud: | a

Bene. I love you the better, the ka * cry Amen:
Marg. God match me with a good dancer.

Aeg. And God k bim out of my ſ "ir
Mare. An out of m t ben t
dince is done : ee clerk. e the

.Balth. No more words, the clerk is anſwer'd.
* I know you well enough, you are elo. A

11

Ant, At a word, Tam not,” ©
#7 1 know you by the wagling of your head.
Ant. To tell you true, I counterfeit him.

the very man: here's his dry hand up and down; Ip ue
ke, you are he.
Au. At a word, I au not;

by your excellent wit? can virtue hide it ſelf ? go to, mum,
you are he; graces will appear, and there's an end.
Beat. Will you not tell me who told you ſo?
Bene. No, you ſhall pardon me. |
an Nor will you not tell me who you are?
ene, Not now.

wit out of the hundr N Lg well, this was h
Benedick.that ſaid Ib, ©
Bene: What' : he 7, | bi wat

Beat. I am fure. you know m ea
Bene, Not I., believe 185 3 g
Beat, Did he never make you lavgh? wg 09

Hero, When 1 like your fayour; for God defend theluts
2 My viſor is Philemon 's roof, within the houſe is

Marg. Sd would not I Rn for 1 hays

Ur. You could never do him ſo ill, well, unleſs you w. re

Or Come, come, do you think I do not know you.
Bl Phat 1 wa Aerni and. that I had my Seed |

Bene, * | v2 Feen!

%
ut )

| ® .
1 18.

Fe.

My cx ADo about NoTHING. 17

eat, Why,he is the Prigee's cher, a very dull fool.
only bis gift is in de viſing impoſſible fl indgrs; none but
hbertiaes gel gbt in him, 50 the .commendation is ft
in bis wit, but in his villany; for he both pleaſeth men and
angers them, and then they laugh at him, and beat him;
tam ſure he is in the fleet, I would he had boarded me.
Bene, When I know the gentleman, III tell him what

ou ſay. - ply 8 7
2 Beat. Do, do, he'll but break a compariſon or two on
me, which venture not mark'd, or not laugh'd at,

frikes him into melancholy, and then there's a parties
wing fav'd, for the fool will eat no ſupper that night,
We maſt follow the leaders, 2.
Bene. 2 good thing. | |
Beat, Nay, if they lead to any ill, I will leave them at
the next turning. | [een
' + Muſick for the Dance. 7 If; --
John, Sure my brother is amorous on Hers, and hath
withdrawn her father to break with him about it: then
dies follow ber, and but one viſor remains. =
Bora. And that is Claudio, I know him by his bears.

2 *

g. 22

John, Are not you Signior Benedick?

Gand. You know me well, I am he. 508

John. Signior, you are very near my brother iti his love:

he is enamour d on Hero, I pray you diſſuade him from

her, ſne is no equal for bis birth; you may do the part of

an honeſt man in it. 8 $23,
Claud. How know you he loves her?

Job. I heard him ſwear his affection.

Bara. So did I too, and he ſwore he would marry hes

to-night, |

Jon. Come let us to the banquet.

28 3 . [Exeunt John and Bor
Claud. Thus anſwer I in name of Benedick, _

But hear this ill news with the ears of Claudio.

"Tis certain ſo, the prince wooes for himſelf, _

Friendſhip is conſtant in all other things,

Save in the office and affairs of love;

Therefore all hearts in love uſe their own, tongues,

Ket every eye negociate for it ſelf, | =
\ | N s | a

—

18 Mvcn A Do about NoTHING
And truſt no agent; beauty is a witch, -
Agaluſt whoſe charms faith welteth into blood.
This is an accident of hourly proof, + +
Which I miſtruſted not. Farewcl then, Hero? |

ft 51

Enter Benedick. enn 1

Den. Count Claudio ?
Claud. Vea the fame. _.
_ Bene, Ceme, will you go with me?
Claud. Whither? 9
Bene, Even to the next willow, about your awn buſineſs,
Count. What fafhion will yeu wear the garland of? about
our neck, like an Uſurer's. chain? or under your arm,
ike a hieugenant's ſcarf ? you muſt wear it one way, for
the Prince hath. got your Here. SAT. av
— Claud. I wiſh im joy of her. net 4od> ag
Bene. Why that's ſpoken like an honeſt drover; ſo, they
ſell bullocks: but did you think the Prince would have
ſuned yon thus: bis Tg
Claud. I pray you leave me. r
Bens, Hol nom you ſtrike like the blind man; *ewas the
boy, that ſtole your meat, and you'll beat the poſt.
Gand. If it will not be, III leave you. - . . [Ex#.
Bens. Alas poor hurt fowle, now. will he creep imo
ſedges. But that my lady Beatrice ſhould. know. me, and
not know me! the Prince's fool! ha: it may be I go un-
der that title, becauſe I am. merry; yea, but ſo I am apt to
do my ſelf wrong: Lam not fo reputed. It is the baſe
(tho? bitter) diſpoſition of Beazrice, that puts the word into
M perion, and fo gives me out; well, II be reveng d as
SW 55 cry = 6 Rn vhs

75

Enter Don Pedro.

-

Pedro. Now Signior * here's the Count? did you ſee

Bene. Troth my lord, -F have play'd the part of lady
Fame. 1 found him here as melancholy 28 alodge in a
. warren, I told bim (and I think, tol4 him trac} that your

Grace had got the will of this young lady, and l offer'd bim
my company to a willow tree, either to make bim 2 gar-
land, as be ing forfaken, or to bind him a rod, as being
worthy to be whipt. 4 * ee
1 Pedro.

C ͤ ͤ ou pdt attoew Reo

tl
b

Moc Apo about NoTHiNG;, 19

Pedro. To be whipt! what's his fault? |

Bene. The flat tr anſgreſſion of a ſchool-boy, who being
over-joy'd with finding a bird's neſt, ſhews it his com-
panton, and he ſteals it, |

Pedro. Wilt thou make a truſt, a tranſgreſſion ? the
tranſgr: ſſion is in the- ſtealer. |

Bene. Yet it had not been amiſs the rod had been made,
and the garland too; for the garland he mighthave worn
himſ-lt, and the rod he might have beſtow'd on you,
who (as 1 take it) have ſtol'n his bird's neſt.

Pedro, I will but teach them to ſing, and reftore them
to the owner, | LY) vs
Bene. If their. finging anſwer your ſaying, by my faith
you ſay honeftly.” FLIP i

Pedro. The lady Beatrice hath a quarrel to you; the gen-
— danc'd with her, told her ſhe is much wrong d

you. 1 3

. O ſhe miſus'd me paſt the indurance of a block;
an oak but with one green leaf on it, would have anſwer d
her; my very viſor begen to aſſume life, and ſcold with

der; mne told me, not thinking 1 had been my ſelf, that

I was the Prince's jeßer, an _ | Laue pets
thaw; hudling jeſt upon jeſt, with ſuch im
Cy nce upon =; that 1 flood like a man at a mark,
with i whole army ſhooting at me; ſhe ſpeaks Ponyards,
and every word ſtabs; if her breath were as terrible as
terminations, there ' were no living near her, ſhe would
infect to the North-Srar; I would not marry her, though
ſhe were indowed with all that Adam had left him before
be tranſprefs'd; ſhe would have made Hercules have
turn'd fpit, yea and have cleft bis club to make the fire
too. Come, talk not of her, you ſhall find her the in-
ſernal A4 in good apparel. ' I would to God ſome ſcho-
lar would conjure her, for certainly while the is here, a
man may live as quiet in hell as in 2 ſanQuary,: and peo-
ple fin upon purpoſe, becauſe they would go thither; ſo

indeed all diſquiet, horror, and perturbation follow her.

1 {| Enter Claudio, Beatrice, Leonato and Hero.
Fed. Look here ſhe comes.
See. Will your Grace command me any ſervice to-
the world's end? 1 will go on the ſlighteſt errand now
to

zo Mu cn Apo.about NoTHING:

to the Antipodes that you can deviſe to ſer d me on; |
will 8 you a tooth - picker now from the fart heſt
inch of Aſia; bring you the length of Preſer Fohn's
foot; fetch you A Fair off the great Cham's beard 1 do.
yon any zmbaſſige to the pigmies, rather than hold three

words conference with this barpy; you have no n
ment for me? |

» Bears, Nene, but. to defire your good company.

Bene. O God, Sir, here's a.diſh-I laye not. I cannot in-
dute this Lady's tongue. + 91) HMExit.

Pedro. Come Lady, come, you haue loll che bert of
Signior Benedicgk.

Bear, Indeed my Lord, be ent it me a while, 2nd I
gave dim uſe for it, a double heart for. a fiagle one; mar ·
' ry, once before he won it of me with falſe dice, therefors
77 Grace may well ſay L have loſt it.

Pedro. You bave put him down, Lady, you have put

dow 2
N 1 wo not ke-ſhould do me, my 1 len
5 1 prove the mother of fools: I have n en. 4
whom you fent me to ſeek.
e. Why bow now N wherefore. 1. 70u ft

fad: 0
0 Not K rm Lord. 16301 V4 v
Ped. 1＋ 3 then? 2 id wof av

(og, Neither, my Lord. 108. T
The Count Yo neither hd, nor bek a aur it verry?
nor well ; but civil. Count, civil CGR Baſe.
thing of a. j<alous,complexione. -- |
Pedro, Tfaith Lady I think your: bon to 123
t gh Til be wary, if he be. ſo, bis conceit_ is fle.
ere Candi have wooed in thy name, and fair Hero is
won; I have broke with her father, and his good will
obtained, name the day of JG and God give thee
0
| q ow Count, take of — my daughter, and with bw
my fortunes: his Grace hack made * en and all
grace ſay Amen to. ir... |
. Rear, Speak Count, tis tis your cue. o
"Claus. e is the en * of 3 joy I. 8 4

— —

1

Moch Ape about NoTHING. 21

but little happy, if I could ſay how much. Lady, as
you are mine, I am yours; 1 give away my ſelf for
you, and doat upon the exchange, *
Beat. Speak Couſin, or (if you cannot) ſtop his
mouth o ith a kiſs,” and let not bim ſpeak neither.
Pedro. In faith Lady, yau have a merry Heart.
Beat. Yea my Lord, { thank it, poor fool, it keeps
on the windy ſide of care; my conſin tells him in his
eat that he is in my heart. :
Claud. And fo the doth, coufin.
Beat. Good Lord, for alliance! thus goes every one

to the world but 1, and 1 am ſun-burn'd, I may fit

in a corner, and cry heigh ho for a husband.
Vedro. Lady Beatrite, I will get you one. *
Beat. I would rather have one of your father's get-
ting: hath your Grace ne'er a brother like you? your
father got excellent husbands, if a maid could come
by them. We 37
Hedro. Will you have me, Lady? 3” het
Beat. No, my Lord, unleſs 1 might Have another
for working-days; your Grace is too coſtly to wear
every day: but I beſeech your Grace pardon me, I
was born to ſpeak all mirth and no matter..
Pedro, Your filence moſt offends me, .and to. be
merry beſt becomes you; for out of queſtion yon
were born in a merry hour. | |
Bear. No ſure my Lord, my mother cry'd; but then
there was a ſtar danc'd, and under that I was born.
Couſins, God give you 1045
— Neice, will you look to thoſe things I told
wot? ©: | | ”
Beat. I cry you mercy, uncle: |
pardon. od * een [Exit Beatrice,
Pedro. By my troth a pleaſant 4 Lady.
Leon. There's little of the melancholy element in
her, my Lord; the is never ſad but when ſhe fleęps,
and not ever ſad then; for I have heard my daughter”
fay, ſhe hath often dream'd of unhappineſs, aud wak'd
her»felf. with laughing. | tx
3 She cannot endure to hear tell of a huſ-
nd.
Leon. © by no means, ſhe mocks all her wooers out
of ſuit. 5 Pedro.

by your Grace's

22 Muck Apo about NoTHING.
Pedro. She were an excellent wife for Benedick.
Leon. O Lord, my Lord, it they were but a week
marry'd they would talk themſelves mad 5

Pedro. Count Claudio, when mean you to go to
church? i 1 |
Claud. To morrow, my Lord; time goes on crutches,

*till love have all his rites.

"Leon. Not 'till Monday, my dear ſon, which is hence
a juſt ſeven-night, and a time teo brief too, to have

all things anſwer my ming. |
- Pedro, Come, you ſhake the head at ſo long a
breathing ; but I warrant thee Claudio, the time ſhall Ni
not go dully by us; I will in the Interim under ake bi

one of Hercules's labours, which is to bring Signior

Donedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain of af. n

feftion the one with the other; I would fain have it |

a match, and I doubt not to faſhion it, if you three

will but minifter ſuch aſſiſtance as I fhall* give you

direction. 6 | a . u! D NVC

* Leon. My Lord, I am for you; though it coſt me

ten nights Watehings I» ties
Claud. And I my Lord. .
Pedro. And you too, gentle Hero? N
Hero. | will do any modeſt office, my Lord, to help
my couſin to a husband. P to |
Pedro. And Benedick is not the unhopefulleſt huſ- t
band that 1 know: thus far I can praiſe him, he is of
a'noble ſtrain, of approv'd valour, and confirm'd ho-
nefty. I will teach you how to humour your couſin,
thar ſhe ſhall fall in love with Beredick; and 1,” with
your two helps, will ſo praiſe on Beredick/ that in
deſpight of his quick wit, and his queaſie ſtomach, he
ſhall fall iu love with Beatrice: if we can do this, Cu-
pid is no longer an archer, his glory ſhalt be ours, for
we are the only Love-Gods; go in with me, gnd I
will tell yon my drift. I Leun.
N Enter Don John a#d-Borachio, - © --
Jobs. It is ſo, the Count Claudio ſhall "marry the
Daughter of Leonato. E id
- Bora, Yea my Lord, but J cas croſs it. |
| John. Any bar, any croſs, any impediment will |
be medicinable to me; I am ſick in diſpleaſure to 3 |

lf ns es. ed od Ma

— a tw. Mt.

Mo cn Apo alf NoTHING. 23

and whatſoever comes athwart his affection, ranges
evenly with mine, How canſt thou croſs his mar-
riage ? 1

dere. Not honeſtly my Lord, but ſo covertly that

no diſhoneſty ſhall appear in me, |
John. Shew me briefly how.

Bora. I think I told your Jordſhip a year ſince, how
much I am in the favour, of Margaret, the waiting-
gentlewoman to Here, | 7

John. I remember. | |

Bora. I ein, at any unſeaſonable inſtant of the
night, appoint her to look out at her Lady's cham-
ber window. |

John. W hat life is in that, to be the death of this
mar iage? e

Bera. The poiſon of that lyes in you to temper; go
you te the Prince your brother, ſpare not to tell him,
that he hath wrong'd his konoutr in marrying the re-
nown'd Claudio, (whoſe eſtimation you do mightily
hold up) to a contaminated ſtale, ſuch a one as Hero.

John, What proof ſhall 1 make of that ?

Bora. Proof enough, to miſuſe the Prince, to vex
Claudio, to undo Hero, and kill Leonato; look you for
any other iflue ?

: John. Only to deſpite them, I will endeayour any
thing. | Wy

| * Go then find me a meet hour, to draw on
Pedro, and the Count Claudia, alone; tell them that
you know Hero loves me;. intend a kind of zeal both
to the Prince and Claudis, as in a love of your bre-
ther's honour who hath made this match, and his
friend's reputation, who is thus like to be cozen'd with
the ſemblance of a maid, that you have diſcover'd
thus; they will hardly believe this without tryal: of-
fer them inſtances which ſhall bear no leſs likelihood
than to ſee me at her chamber window, hear me call

Margaret, Hero; hear Margaret term me Berachio, and

bring therm to ſee this, the very night before the in-
tended wedding; for in the mean time 1 will ſo faſhion
the matter, that Hero ſhall. be abſent, and there ſhall
appear ſuch ſeeming truths of Hero's diſloyalty, that

— f jealouſie

24 Mucn Apd about No THING.

Jealouſy ſhall be calyd affurance; and all the preparz
tion overthrown, oO +> ,

John, Grow this to what adverſe iſſue it can, I will
put it in practice: be cunning in the working this, and
thy fee is a thouſand ducats, O's

Bora, Be thou conſtant in the accuſation, and my
eunning ſhall not ſhame me. | 3 2.

John. I will preſently. go learn their day of mar-

riage. 6 IExeunt.
* Leonato's Garden. ; |
Enter Benedick and 4 Boy.
Bene. Boy.
Boy. Signior. |
Bene. In my chamber widow lies a book, bring it
hither to me in the orchard. |
. I am here already, Sir. [Exit Boy,
Bene. I know that, but I would have thee hence,
and here again. I do much wonder, that one man
ſeeing how much another man is a fool, when he de-
dicates his behaviours to love, will after he bath laughe
at ſuch ſhallow follies in others, become the argument
of his own ſcorn, by falling in love! and ſuch a man
is Claudio. I have known when there-was.no mulick
with him but the drum and the fife, and now had he
rather hear the taber and the pipe: I have known
when he would have walk'd ten mile a-foot, to ſee a
good armour; and now will he lie ten nights awake,
carving the faſhion of a new doublet. He was wont
to ſpeak plain, and to the purpoſe, like an honeſt
man and a ſoldier, and now is be turn'd orthographer,
his words are a very fantaſtical banquet, juſt ſo —
ftrange diſhes, May I be ſo converted, and ſee wit
theſe eyes? I cannot tell, I think not. I will not be
fworn, but love may, transform me. to an oyſter; but
Ill take my oath on jt, till he haye made an oyſter
of me, he ſhall never make me ſuch a fool: one wo-
man is fair, yet I am well; another is wiſe, yet I am
well; another virtuous, yet I am well. But till all
races be in one woman, one woman ſhall not come
in my grace. Rich ſhe ſhall be, that's certain; wile,
or i'll none; virtuous, or I'll never cheapen her:

fair, or I'll never look on her; mild, or come not
| A near

nne OS

a w.nan wt V0 ww aA ca XAX2GA42M,.

© ©
Ja

ill

*

„
9

— OT OG nw ww . ler er

Morn Apo aon NorhIN. 25

near me; noble, or not for an angel; of good diſ-
courſe, an excellent mu ſician, and ber hait ſhall be of

what colour it pleaſe Gd. Ha! the Prince and 1
keur Love: I will hide me in the arbour-.

Enter Don Pedro, Leonato, Claudio and Balchazar,

Pedro. Come, ſhall we hear this muſick ?
Claud. Tea, my good lord; how ſtill the even ·

ing 1s
As huſh'd on 'purpoſe to ce harmony, -
Pedro. See you where Benedich hith"hid himſelf?
ms: O very well, my lord; the muſick ended,
We'll fic the kid-fox with a penny- worth.
Peuro. Come Balibaxar, we'll hear that ſong 2palh,
Balth. O good my lord, tax not fo bad a voice
To ſtander muſick any more than once. ”
Pedro. It is the witneſs, ſtill of excellency,
To put à frange face on his own pet ſection i
pray thee "ling, and let me woo no more. sa

14 „ be 80 N6.
Sigh no more, ladies, ſigh no mort,

Nen whredeceivers ever, go *
I 24 n | "$1 148 One
— ——— —w—ᷣ

ee n more.
'Bal#b/\ Becauſe yon talk of wooing, vil ing ·
Sives many wooer doth commence his ſuit
To her he thinks not worthy, yet ouch Woos,
Yet will be ſwear he loves.
_ Podro. Nay, pray thee come.
Or if thou wilt 2
Do it in notes. a
- Balth. Note this before my notes, 5
There's not à note of mine that's worth the noting. _
'Pelro. Why chete are very crotchets that he {peaks;

Note notes forfooth, and nothing.

Dene. Now divine tir; now is his ſoul muvid! is it

not ſtrange, that ſheeps guts ſhould” hale ſouls our of
men's bodies? well, a korn for "wh money, Na 4 $
done.

—

26 Moch Ano about Notrin:

One foot in ſea, and one on ; ſhore,
one thing conſtant never,

1 Thenſigh not ſo, buy let nem 4e.

And be you blith; and bon, N e .

Converting all your ſounds of * 4 tithes 42
Into bey wor wy * N

Sing no more ditti ies, y 9 no more, 5
Of dumps ſo dull and heavy; )
| The frauds of men were ver 25 |
iner ſum mer firſt was leafy: ©
3 nar; fo. &c ,. 7 en

ele. By my troth/a good ſong.

Balth. And an ill finger, my lord.

Pedro. Ha, no; no faith; thou ſing' ſt well enough
for a ſhift. -

Bene. If he had been a Dog that ſhould have howl'd
thus they would haye hang'd him, and: 1 pray God
his bad voice bode no miſchief; I had as lief have
heard the night · raven, come what Plague could have
come after it.

Pedro. Yea marry, doſt thou hear Balthazar ? I pray
rhee get us ſome excellent mulick ; for to-morrow
we would have it at the _— Hero's chamber wit

dow.
Bakth\” The beſt I can, my bake 71 8 [Exit Balthazar.

Pedro. Do ſo: farewell. Come : hither | Leonato;
what was it you told me of to-day, that your *
Beatrice was in love with Signior Benedick ? |

Claud. O ay, ſtalk on; ſtalk on, the fowl ſits. 1
did never think that lady would have loved any man.
Teon. No, nor I neither; but moſt wonderful, =
ſhe ſhould Jo doat on Signior Benedict, whom. ſhe |
hath in ad outward behaviours ſeemid ever to abhor.

Bene. Ist poſſible, ſits the wind in that corner ?

Leon. By my troth, my lotd. I cannot tell what
think of its but that ſne loves him with an ung
affe tion, it i paſt the infinite of thoughjße.
Pedro. May be ſhe doth but counterteit.

Claud. Faith, like . A

EL

Much Apo about Norni dd. 27

| Leon. O God! counterfeit? there was never coun-
terfeit of paſſion came * near the lite of paſlion as
ſhe diſcovers it.

Pedro.. Why, what effes of paſſion ſhews ſhe ?

Claud. Bait the haok well, che fiſn will bite.

Leon. What effects, my lord? ſhe will fit your: you
heard my daughter. tell you 2th |

Claud. She did indeed.

Pedro, How, how, I pray you? you amaze me 1
would have thought her ſpirit had been invincible a-
7 all aſſaults of affection.

. I would have ſworn it had, my lord, elpeci-
aly a againſt Benedick. |

Bene. I ſhould think this a gull, but that the whice-
bearded fellow ipeaks it; knavery cannot ure ys
himſelf in ſuch reverence. _.

Claud. He bath, ta'en th infection, hold it up.
; Pedre.: Hath ſne made her uffection known to Bene-

ck? f
Leon. No, and. ſwears ſhe never Nil that's Er
torment. 4

Claud. Tis true indeed, ſo your daughter fays:
ſhall I, ſays ſhe, that have ſo oft encounter'd him with
ſcorn, write to him that I love him 2 |

Leon, This fays ſhe now, when ſhe is beginning to
nay him; tor ſhe'll be up twenty times a-night,
and e will ſhe ſit in her ſmock, till ſhe have wric
a ſheet, of paper; my daughter tells us all.

Claud. Now you talk of a ſheet of paper, I remem-
ber a pretty jeſt, your daughter told us of.

Leon. od when {he had writ it, and was reading it
over, the found AT anc Beatrice Wen the
ſheer. VENTION DEL t |

Claud. That. . "IP UA

Leon. O, ſhe tore be letter into s a thou Had half-
peace, raild at her ſelf, that the ſhould be 1o immo-
deſt, to write to one that ſhe knew wou'd flout her:
| meaſure him, ſays ſhe, by my own ſpirit, for I
ſhou'd flout him uu he writ to me, yea tho' 1 love
him, I (ould.

n+ Then down upon her knees ſhe falls, weeps,

B 2 obs,

23 Mvcu Apo about Nor uc.

fobs, beats her heart, rears her air, prays, curſes!

O iwcer Benedich God give me; patience !

Leon. She doth indeed, my daughter ſys ſo, and
the keſtaſſe bath ſo much overborn ber, that my daugh-
ter is ſometimes afraid ſhe wid do deſperate wats age
to her ſelf; it is very true.

Pedro. It were good rhat Benedick knew of it by

ſome other, if ſhe will not diſdover it.

Claud. To what end? he would but make a ſport
of it, and torment ihe poor lady worſe. |

Pedro. If he ſhould, it were an alms to bang him;
ſhe's an excellent Geet lady, and xp of al 8
thet is virtuous. ,

Claud. Add ſhe is exoceding wiſe.

Pedro. In every thing but in loving —

Leon. O my lord, wiſdom and blood combating in
ſo tender a 'body, we have ten proofs to one, dat
blovd hath the vietory'; lam ſorry for her, as I have

Jjaſt cauſe, being her uncle and her guardian.

Fedro. I would fie had beſtow!'d this dotage on me;
I would have dofft ali other reſpects, and made het
half my (elf; I pray you tell 98 ein. and heat
what he willBy, ©

Leon. Were it good, wink you 7

*Ctand. Hero thinks firely. ſpe will dis, for * ſhe fas
ſhe will die if he ſeve her nor, and the, will dig ere
ſhe wake her loveknown ; and ſhe will die it be woo
her, rather than the will dar ohe breath. of per ac-
cnſtom'd croſſneſs.

Pedro. She derh well; if fie ſhou'd make. render
of her love, "ris very poſſible hel {corn it; for the

mag. as. von Rn all, hath a contemptible ſpiric, *

Claud. He is a very proper man.

Pedro. He hath indeed a, good out ward happineſs.

Claus. Fore God, and in my mind very wile,
Podro. He doth indeed ſhe tome Ac Ge are
like wit.

Leon. And Luke in, to be e
Pedro. As Hector, I aſſure you; and in the manag-
ing of quarre!s you may ſse he 1s wile, ſor eit her he
avoids them with great diſeretion, or undertakes *

I

C
}
V

e
I
I

0 '

Much Apo about NoTHING. 29

with a-chriſtian-like fear.“ Well, I amiſforry for your
neice: ſhall we go (ce Penedick, and tell him of her
love ? 2 3-2

Claud. Never tell him, my lord, let her wear it out
with good counſel. LG. a

Leon, Nay, that's impoſkble, ſhe may wear her heart
out fil. [ 36tand. 4 *

Pedro, Well, we will hear further of it by your
daughter; let it cool the While. U love Benedict well,
and I could wiſh he would, qpogeſtly- examine himſelt,
" ce bow much he is unworthy to have ſo good a
a2. W Het b he 2 4

Leon, My lord, will you walk? dinner is ready.

Claud. If he de not dote on her upon this, I will
never truſt my expectation. 208 N
Pedro. Let there be the ſame net ſpread for her, and
that muſt your daughter and that gentle woman carry
the ſport will be, when: they held an opiaion of one
another's dotage, and no ſuch matter; that's the
ſcene that I would ee, which will be meerly a dumb
few z let us ſend her to call him in to dinner.

wth SO PRE $31 34 | Y _[Exennr.
- Bene. This can be no trick, the conference - was
fadly born; they have the truth of this from Hero,
they ſcem to pity the lady; it ſcems ber affections
have the full bent. Love me! why. it muſt be requi-
ted : 1 hear how I am cenſur d; they ſay 1 will bear

my ſelf proudly, if I perceire the love come from her ;

they ſay too, that ſhe will rather die than give any

ſign of affe&ion-—1 did never think to. marry—L

muſt ust ſeem proud happy are they that bear their
TOE 7 « #4147 Tru” | + £.©%, 8 de-

1 1 ml >. . 8 1 * — Fw. _—_—
— —

*

* * a.

— 2 — — — —— _—
hb —

* chriſtian-like fear.
Teen. If be do fear God, he myſt neceſſarily keep
peace; if he break the peace, he ought to enter into
a quarrel with fear and trembli ggg. |

- Pedro. And fo will he do, for the. man doth fear
God, howdoever it ſee ms not in him, by ſame large
jeſts he will make. |
Well, &c. B 3

n
30 Much Apo. about, NoTHING.
detractions, and can put them to mending: they fiy
the lady is fair ? tis a truth, I can bear them witneſs:
and virtuous; 'tis ſo, I cannot reprove it:, and wiſe,
but for loving me by my troth it is no addition to
her wir, nor no preat argument of her folly ; for!
will be horribly in love with her. —1 may chance to
have ſome odd quirks and remnants of wit broken on
me, becauſe I have rail'd ſo long againſt marriage;
but dorh not the appetite alter ? a man loves the meat
in his youth, that he cannot endure in his age. Shall
quipps and ſentences, and theſe paper bullets of the
brain, awe Aa man from the career of his humour ?
no: the world muſt bepeopled?' When 1 faid I would
die 2 batchelox,”F did not think 1 ſhould live till!
ere marryd. Here comes Beatrice : by this day ſhe's
L fair lady, I Go Ty ſome marks of love in her.

—

- a"; Enter Beattice! = +3
5 ber, ie oy vn kam t tobid you come a
to dinner 4 r 1

Be Fair Braeylee, 1 thank your 2 pains.

% Beate 206k no mare pains for” thoſe thanks, than
you take pair rothank: met if it Ha beea Tant. 1
would not have come

- Bens; Vou take — in the wethes.

Beat. Yea, juſt ſo much as you may take apo a

| knife's point, and choak à dae /withalt” 12 K have no
ſtomach, Signor; fare you Wel. [Exiz.
Biene. Ha againſt my will I am ſear to bid you
come in to dinner: there's a double meaning in thar.
took no more pains for thoſe thanks, than you reok
Pains to thank me; that's as much as ro ſay, any puns
that I take for you is as eaſy as thanks.” If I do not
take pi:y of her, I am a villam; if 1 don not I her,

Tam 2 * wy Bo get ber picture. 260 7
62 SA 220; 2&4 122625
abt 54 CERES Fr
RN ann 4 Walze Ao n unte 1 0 T
Toa; nid n 1 At Ys VAC oer

$3366 airs 96: 233%
. : *

. + a. = a «© ce a> ak WY am. 8

Moch 95 about NoTHING. 31

+ % 4 N
„„ - bd : =

% 2 i.

—B —

—_—ey II. 5 0 EN E I.

Continues in s the Garden.
_ Hero, Margaret and e

T0 bas! „Hie, 7
X00D bs run thee into the parlour,

There ſhale thou ſrad my couſin Beatrice,
Propoſing with the prince and Claudio; l
Whiſper her ear, and tell her I and Urſula 0
Walk in the orc hatd, and our wholediſcourſe ä
Is alt of her; ſay that thou overheard'ſt us,

And bid her ſteal into the pleached bower,

* Where honey - ſuckles ripend by the fur

fForbid the ſun to enter; like to favourites |

6 + Made proud by princes, that advance their pride

. that power that bred it: thero will ſhe hide her,
iſten to our purpoſe; this is thy office, 5

car thee well in it, and leave us alone.
Marg. Fil make her come I warrant preſently. ¶ Zit.
Hero, Now Urſuls, when: Beatrice doth come,

As we do trace this alley up and — ra,

Our talk muſt only be af Benedich; b

When Ido name him, let it be thy part F

To praiſe him more than ever man did merit.

My talk to thee myſt be how Benedick.

Is fick in love with Beatrice; of this matter

IL lictle Cupia's crafty arrow made,

1 only . by hear - ſay: now bega.

* r fei, 4134: {4 5 '

\ + Enter Beatrice, eat ihe,

For wh hw Bari like a lapwing runs

Cloſe by the ground to heat our conference.
Urſu. The pleaſanteſt angling is to ſee the fiſtr |

Cut with her. golden oars the ſilver ſtream,
And greedily devour the W bait 3
4 *

32 Mun Ado about Nornimez >

So angle we for Hectrice, who ev'n no-

Is couched in the woodbme coverture

Fear you not my part of the dialogue.
Hero.. Thengo we nrat her, that her car lofe nothing

Of the fails ſweet bait that we lay for it.

No truly Urſula ſhe's tao diſdaintul, 2

I Kao her ſpirits are as coy and veil,

As F hazgerds of the rock;
Ur/u. But ate you ure F?

Thar Penedich loves Zeatrice ſo iatirely ?/ ö
* So fays-the prince, and ny new - trot hed lord.

u. And did they bid yod tell her of it, N

— Taey did — me to acqu aint her of it 3 .

But I per ſuaded them, if they ldy d ee. | |

To with him wreftle with affection,
And never to ler Beatrise know of i Its: oth 8. ; Ar
Uu. Why did you ſo? doth: nor the grofs Ar
Deſerve as full, as fortunate a bed. Te
As ever Beatrice ſhall couch upon? | H
Hero. © Gad of love! I know: he doth dae *. |
As much as may be yielded to a m? 1 7 Sh
But nature never fram'd a woman's dert 5. (i
Of prouder ſtuff than that af Beatrice. |
Diidain and ſcorn ride ſparkling in her eyes, SC
Miſ-prizing. what they look on, and her Wie |
Values it ſelf fo highly, that ro her A
All matter elſe ſeems wrak; ſhe cannot love, - N
Nor take no ſhape not . abe e 9
She is ſo ſelf- endeareſe. n F
Ur ſu. Sure Lihiok ſo; N tip: 0 ; . G

And therefore certainly it were nat
She knew his love, leſt ſhe make {pore it it.
Hero. Why you ſpeak truth. — yr mas; V
How wiſe, how noble, bow rarely featur'd,.
—

But ſhe would ſpell him ard; if Gir-fac'd, I
* She'd ſwear the gemlemen Gould be N V
© It black, hy nature drawing of an antick, '- | 1

« Made a foul blot; if tall, a nne ili-headed 6% $106. \

If low, au agat very vilely as wr

If ſpeaking, why a vane blown with al winds; | Is
*

tw,

”" a „

+ wild hawks.

Muc Apo about Norixs. 33

If ſilent, why a block moved with none.
So turns ſhe every man the wrong fide out, |
And never gives e truth and witruc that
Which ſimpleneſi and merit parehaſeth. © |
12 Sure, ſure ſuch carping is not l
Hero. No, for t be fo odd, and from all faſhions, |
As Peatrice is, cannot be ebmmendable; /
But who dare tell hor fo ? if I ſhould ſpeak,
She'd mock me into air, O ſhe would laugh me
Out of my ſelf, preſs me to death with Wit.
Therefore let Bengt, like covered fire, | 9
Conſume away in lighs, waſte inwardly ; |
It were a bitter death to die with mocks;
Which is as bad as tis to die with tickling,
Ur. Let tell her of it; hear what ſhe will b.
Hero. No, rather 1 will go to Benedick,
And counſcl him to fight againſt his pallion.
And truly 111 deviſe {ome honeſt ſlanders
To ſtain my couftin with ; one doth aot kgow
How. much an ill word may impoiſcn liking.
Ur. O do not do your couſin ſuch a wrong.
She cannot be ſo much without true judgment,
(Having ſo ſweet and excellent a wit,
As ſhe is priz'd to have) as to refuſfſe
So rate a gentleman as Bene dick.
Hero. He is the only man of Italy,
Always excepted my dear Claudio.

Ur/#. 1 pray you be not angry with me, Madam, 2
Speaking my fancy; Signior Benedich,

For ſhape, tor bearing, argument and valour,
Goes foremoſt in report through ay.

Hero. Indeed he hath an excellent good name.

U:ſu. His excellence did earu it ere he bad it.
When are you mazried, Midam ?..

Hero. Why every day, to- Morrow ; come N in.
I'll ſhew. thee ſome attires, and have thy cout ſel
Which is the beſt ro furniſh me ro-morraw.

Urju. She's ta en, I warrant you; we have caught ter,
Madam.

Hero, 1 n prove b r goes dy *

By

0

34 Moch Ado about NoTHiNs.:

Some Cupid; il. rick du ſome with ape:
21 enn Eren.
Fest Whit fie is in my can this be true?
Stand I conderan'd for pride and {corn {o much?
Cantem pr fareweh, and majden pride adieu!
No glor 71 behind the back of ſuch.
And Benedick love on, I will requite thee,
Tamiag my wild heart to chy, loving *
If thou doſt love, my kindneſs ſhall incitè thee
To bind our loves up in an holy * Nen 10
For 0:hers ſay thou doſt deſetve, n 8 |
Believe it better chap geportingly, _. 2 . TIT _—

Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, Benedick Pl bent

Pedra I do but flay til your marriage be conſum-
mate, and then, I go toward. Arragon.
Claud. III. bring you ae ny lord, if bann
vouchſafe me.. |
Pedro. Nay. that vrould be: as: great a | foil un the
new gloſs of yo marriage, as to ſhew a child his |
new coat,and: forbig. him: to wear / it.1 1-wil only be |
bold with Benedict for his company, for from the
crown of his head to the ſoak of his foot he is all.
mirth ; he hath twice or th ice cut. Capi bow-ſtring,
and the little han man dare nat ſhoot: at him; he:
hath a heart as Band as 4 bell, and his rongue is
fo clapper 3 for nden en pag: __
eas „ nt 1 2139 RIPE DG
Biene. Gallants, a as DT: 8 WR
Leon. So ſay I; metbinks you are ne |
Claud, ] hope he is in love. eon
Pedro. Hang: him truant, theres no true 2 of
blood in bim, t be rally Nr with love; it he
be ſad, he wants mony. > S348 1 & 4235 -
Bere. Py L344 wy no; WHORE A ern JA. e.
Pedro. Draw it.— 2426-267 * Fah
Bene. Haug it. e A arg ty tin 7 r
add. You mud bang i in fu ſt. and draw it afevevacts
Pedro. What? ſigh for the tootk- ach!
Leon, Which is but aibumagy, an m. ...
eze. Well, every W maſter .a grief but he
tat has it. Claud.

Ss *
=

Mucn Apo about NOTHING, 35

Claud, Yet Gay I be is in "ane.

Fab. There is no appearance of fancy in him,
unleſß it be à fancy that he hath to ſtrange diſguiſes,
as to be a Dutch man to- daf, a French man to- mor-
row. + Or iu the ſhape of rwo countries at once, a.
German from the waiſt downward, all fops, and a
Spaniard from the hip upward, no doublet : Unleſs. he
have a fancy to this foolery,” as* it appears he hath,
wo foo tor. fancy, a8 you would haye it to ap-

r he is.

Pe cid If he be not in love with ſome woman,
there is no beſieving old figns; he bruſhes his hat a-
mornings ; what 'ſhould that bode?

Pedro. Hath any man ſeen him at the'barber's}

Claud. No; but the © barber's man hath been ſeen:
with him, and the old ornament of his heek hath
1 tuft tennis- balls

Lern. Indeed he books younger than” he de by the
Joſs of '$'beard, ©

Pedro. Nay,he rubs himſelf with civer, can you ſmell
him out by that?

\ 17 Fhat's as much ay to ſay, the ſweet youth's
in lore A

'' Ptdro.. The greateft note of it'is his melancholy:

Claud. And When Was“ he wont to waſh his face?

Pedro. Yea, or to paint himſelf ? for the which'I
hear what they ſay of him
* Claud. Nay, but his jeftins ſptrir; which: is how”
erept into a- lute· ſtring, and now govern'd by ſtops: a3

Pedro. Indeed that tells a heavy tale for _ ' Cons
clude he is in love. oy 1 ·&
lau Nay; but F 180 e lte Joes biw

Pedro, That would I know too : I warrant ek
Knows him not. Fee at
Clan Yes, and his ilk conditions, and in elpight:

of l dies for him no WH pt thous 3 touts 4

Puro. She ſhall be buried with hey: face vpwards, -

Bene: Yet js this no charm for the tobch ac h. Old

Signior, walk afide with me, Þ hive ftudted eight or
nine wiſe wiosds'th? ſpeak to you- hel hole: hobby:
Sorſts ma ſti nor bar. 52 % fi BY t

1 Et; 1600, $ , 4 _ bi? {1659 Re

LETT : an

36 Modi Apo about Normxe.

pedro. For my ſife to break with him about Peatrice.
Claud. Tis even ſo. Hero and 2 have by

this play dictheir parts with: Beatrice, and then the two

bears will por r when "of pee
Fuer Don ohn
2. My. load. and beot her, god fave you,
re. Good- den. bra her. N
Jon, If. gave; ilyee v, 1;would ſpeak wich

0. Ia private? |

75 u. If it pleaſe vod; yet Count Clandin may ke
9 — would ſpeak' of concerns him.

7. What's the matter?

7 Messe 1 to be married r ogg

Pedro. You bon be Joes, | by

Fehn. I knowing that, hen he knows what 1 know.
Claud. If n 1 Aar I roy you dif-

cover it.

Fohn. You may think I love you not, let that ap-
pear hereafter, and aim better at me by that I now
will manifeſt 3 for my brother, I think he holds you
well, and in dearneſi of heart hath holy to effect your
enuing nge furelys ſuit: il ſpem, and Wan
de ſtow d. | |

Pedro. Why, what's the matter ?= e
Jon. I came bither to tell you, and 3
8 d, (for e W — — 4 A talking vi the

4s dill 5

* — Hero t

Jobo. . ee

man's Hero. N
Claud. Diſloysl? 4» «Ar; n
John. The word is 160 good 2 ber wics

ce I could ſay ſwe were one think you of 2

worſe title, sad l Wil ber to it: wonder not till

further warrants: go but wh; me to-night, yon (iN
ſee her chamber - Window enter d, even the night bo-
fore her. wedtding-day 5 if you love thery(then to- mor-

row wed her; bac it would N err honggr! to

change your mind.” „ PO 4
Claud.

Mocn Abo abvur Nornixe. 37

Clan May the be % 1
Pedro. 1 not think lt. N
ahn. If you dare not traſt that you'' "fee, conch
not that you kngw ; if you will follow me, I will ſhew
you enough; and when you have fen more and heard
more, proceed accordingly,
Claud. If I fee any tbin og to-night why 1 would

not marry her, to-morrow, in the congregation where
I ſho 1 will I ſhame her. 1105

Peco. And as | wooed for thee to e ler, I
will join with thee to diſgrace her.

John. I will diſparage her no farther, *M you are
my witneſſes ; bear it coldly but eilt night, and let the
iſſue hew itſelf; ©"

Pedro. O day untowardly ir LF

Claud. O miſchief ſtrangely thwartin Bog!

John. O plague right well prevent
So will you "iy when you have Teen i the es

SCENE, The Street.

Enter Dogberry and Verges, with the watch.
Dogs. Are you good men and true?

1174

ee.

Verg. Yea, or elſe it were pity but they ſhould at. ,

fer ſalvation,” body and foul,
', Dog6. Nay, that were 2 pamftiment too good for
them, if rbey ſhould have any allegiance in them, bey
ing choſen for the Prince's watch.
Eb ig Well, give them their charge, veightour Dog-
erny.
5. Fitt, who think” you the moſt difartleſs mag

to be conſtable?

Hatch. Hugh Oatecake, Sir, or George Stacoal; for
they can write and red.

Dogh. Come hither, neighbour Seacoal : God bath
- bleſt you wü a good name; to be a well-favoùr d

man is the gift of fortune, but 0 write and read

comes by nature.

" 2Watch. Both be ede oed
.Dogb. You have: I knew it would be your an ſwy er.

Wel, for your favour, Sir, why give God 15

—— et 2 -

—— — Oe

— ——

*
1 Gu — — —— —

4
|
0
wn
| C
|
F

48 Myucs,Apo, about Notre

and. make no boaſt of it ; and. for, aur, ide
2 ler; that appear W en there 5630 K
ch. Lanitz; vou are thought. here” to be the woſt
eng and fit ma Ie the , conſtable: of the watch,
chere fore bear you e J this is your charge;
_ you ſlialf comprehend! all vagrom men, you are to
bi. 27 N. in the Princess name. N. 7.
be ae HowWaf he will nbt ſtand ß
dg 6:- Why then rake ft note of Him, bat k Un
o, and ;preicatly call the reſt "of the watch zerher,
nd thank Goc oy me tid Uf N koaye. r.
Perg. he wilt not ſtand When he is-bidden, he
is one of the Prigce's ſabjeck.
Dogs: "Trucy and at are to meddle with fione but
1 Pringe's ſubjec you Mall alſo make no noiſe in
the ſtreets; fore ON: te dwatẽ hto Tabble 008 talk, is

wal tolelahie, 40 Ta. b endur'd.
Watch, We WH Faber ſl:ep than dar; we know
Alg. 55 ds ro 8 8 (4
Why you 25 lite an ane ent _= moſt

— ge wa:chman, for I cannor' fee hor læeping ſhould
offend; only have a, care chat your bills be nat ſto-
len: well, you” ate "to call at all the alehouſes „Ard
bid hem aha are. Lyne, $8 them te bed. *
41h 0 if K hey 1 7 een
- Dogb,. Why_th then Jes oben alone: till they, are er
x j 5 make you.nt on of the better anſwer, you may
By they are not the 5 5 5% bo them * „ ee
rs Well, Str. |
Dez It you Yect 4 15 if, Fou Weep king nb

Moe 85 dae office: to 7 no ttue 3 a0 and for {1

Eind oy n, the leis 1 y a Of make 3 with h*he hem,
\ r your, hone
Wan 1 Wi Low ith W thief, a

t. lay Bands on him

| Ms Tal b 5. ine o ax | but 1. *thio

they that {ps Wee will be "ach I'B, $8 oft peate-

ible way fag . if ydu dd 0 5 4 chief. ais to let

him 55 Wee what be is,, aud lea our of Your
compan

P41 "Toy beg be w g e gr |

- „ - _. 4 4. Sx - þ

Muc Apo about Notring. 3g
Degb. Truly F would not hang a dog by a,

much mots a man WHd hath any honaſty in im

Verg. If you hear a child cry in the nights you __
call to the nurſe and bid her ſt ill it.

2 Hatch. How if the. nurſe be. aſleep, and will not
hear us ?

Dogb. Why. then depart in peace, and let wo child
wake her with crying: for the ewe that will not hear
her lamb when it bacs, wil never anſlvyer a calf Wea
ha muta. * 284% Menne

Ferg. "Tis very iiue: 22004 cr, teen Ihe

Beg. This is the end of the charge: you, *conſtas
ble, are to preſent the Prince's on perſon, if you
meet the Prince in the night you may ſtay him,

Verg. Nay, bi'rlady, that I think he cannot.

Dag6. Five ſhillings to one on't with any man that
knows the ſtatutes, he may ſtay him marry, not: with -

out the Prince be willing: for indeed the watch ought

to offend no many Ley ir is an offence: to Na man
againft his will, - | F n
Verg.. Börlady, 1 think 1 be "Ig
Dag. Ha, ha, ha!. well, maſters good aight)iar an
there be any. matter of weight ebarices, call up me;
keep your fellow's counſel and your own, and good
nig t; come neighbour.
2 Watch, Well; maſters, we hear our charge; let

ug go ſit herr s arenen Till N —

then all to bed.
Dog b. One word, wore, honeſt adighdovrs: 1 pray

k you watch about Signior Leonato's door, for the wed -

ding. being there to-morrow, there is a great coil to-
night; 5 jeu ; be vigilant I 4 you.
29% — Dogb. andVergs
| | " Fay, Borachio and Conrad.
Bora. What, Conr ade? rr 42
V4 Watch. Peace, oe. mcg $33 05 234 91.c: Aale,
2. Bora; Conrade, I | My.) 9
Conr. Here man, 7 Ne at thy eier 5
Bora. Maſs and my elbow itch'd; ann there
would a ſeab follow,
Conr. I will'owe thee an anſwer for that, and now
forward with thy tale. * Nia.

40 Mucn Apo about NoTHING:

Bora. Stand thee doſe then under this pent · hou ſe,
for it driales 1 and T avi, uke a true ns.
utter all to thee.

Watch. Some treafons, made; yer Land Ag.

Hera. Therefore know, I dan carned of Don oh,
a thouſand ducats.
Ps 4, Is x poſſibie that any vier ould be 0

?
Bora. Thou (hoold'ft rather 65k if. jg-wers-poihible
any villany ſbodld be ſo rich? for when rick Villains
— — e ones, ee way make what
wi K
99 yaan N

tek. That ſhews thou artanconkrm'd, wu 18
eſt that the faſhion of a doublet, or a \ Rake. or a Its
is nothiog/to a man. 8

| Conn. Yes, it n .

Bora. I mean the faſnion.

Cour. Yes, the:faſhion is the faſhion; CR,

Bora. Tuſh, I may as well ſay the fooP's the fools bor
ſeeſt thou not hat = thief this faſhions?

Watch. I know that Deformed ; he has been a vile

thief this ſeven years; he goes up aud down like a
tleman: 1 — his name. |
Bora. Didſt thou not hear ſome body?
Cour. No, Novas the vane on the houſe. +
Bara. Sceſt thou not, I, what s deformed thief
this faſhion is, how giddily he turns about all the hot=
bloods between fourteen and ſive and thirty, ſome-
times falhioniag them like Pharagh's foldiers in the
* rechy painting, ſometimes like the God 'BelPs prieſts
in the old church-wiadow, ſometimes like the ſhaven

Hercules dia the {mirch'd worm. eaten tapeſtry, where

his codpiece ſeems as maſſy as his club.
Conr, All this I {:e, and fee that the faſhion wears
out more appærel than the man; but art not thou thy
ſelf giddy wich the faſhion, that thou haſt ſhifted out
of thy tale into telliog me of the faſhion?
Sera. Not ſo neither; but know that I have to-
vight woaoed Margaret, the 107 _ ras +
Ko rechir, valuable, I, wy I 1

Much Ano about NOTHING. 41

by the Name of Hero; ſhe leans me out at her mi-
ſtreſs's- chamber - Window, bids me a thouſand times
good night -I tell this tale Vildly =I ſhould
ff tell thee how the Prince, Claudio, and my maſter
planted and placed, and poll:fled by my maſter. Don
John, ſaw far off in the 'oIchard this amiable encoun-
ter.

Conr. And thou; he l was Hero?

Bora. Two' oft | "pb did, the | Prince and Clandis,
but the devil my maſter knawy ſhe was Margare? 3 and
par: 4 by his oaths which firſt poſſeſt them, partly by
the dark night which did deceive them, but chiefly by
my villany, which did confirm any flander that Don
LY had made; away went Claudio enraged, ſwore

e would meet her as he was appointed next morn-
ing at the temple, and there before the whole con-
gregation ſhame ter with what he a oer night, and
lend her home again without a husband.

i.Hatch, We charge you in the Prince's name ſtand,

2Watch: Call up t Uh right maſter conſtable, we have
here recovered the moſt dangerous piece of eber
that ever was known i ig the common-wealth. -

i Watch. And ons Defofmed is one of them; L koow
him, he wears a lock.

Corr. Maſters, 'maſters. +»

z Hatch. You'll be made bring Deformed forth, 1
warrant you.

Canr. Maſters, never ſpeak, we charge yau,. let us
obey you to go with. us.

"Bora. We are like ro- prove --goodly commodity,
3 taken up of theſe mens bild.

nr. A commodity in cee warrant you:
come we'll obey you. 1 us n.

S C E NE, Leouato!/ lf ·
Ne Hero, Margaret and Urſula.

Berg. Good Urſula, reply: IE) Sufi le, and
defire her tu rife. | REN
U. 1 will, lady. = :

Karo. And. bid IE; bücher. |
Un.

42 Moch Apo about NoTHING.

© Urſu. Well. EE TN 2
Mag. Troth I think your ot her rebato were better. my
. . Hero. No, pray thee good Mey, I'll wear this. |
l Marg. By my troth it's not ſo good, and I warrant you
your coulin will fay ſo. Fig, tis
Hero. My couſin's à fool; and thou art another. 11 ä
Wear none but this. A. 1 557 3
Marg. I like the new tire within excellently, if the 2
Hair svere a thought browner; and ydur gown's a me
woſt rare faſhion Tfaith- I aw the Dutcheſs of Nl.
"laws gown that they praiſe W. . |
Herd. O, that exceeds, they ſay; - he

$3 . 1 2 2 x Y . 7
Marg. By my troth,.it's but a nigtit-gown' in reſpeR
'of bee oth of gold” and SY: lac'd with fi- ex
ver, ſet with- pearls, dovyn · ſleeves, ſide-fleeves and ;
skirts, round; underborn with a blueiſh:tinſ! ;_ but for
2 fine, queint, graceful and excellent faſhion, yours us of
R
Here. God, give me joy to Wear it, for my heart is 50
e e SE ;
* Mig. Ti be teavier Won by the, weigh
1 nan | [ 3 yo * of

3,49 *I6 !

t of a ce

nfo rr 54 29 ' "S '
rh Fle updn thee, art not aſham'd? 27 5 ye
Marg. Of what, lady? of ſpeaking honourably ?'s *
1 martizpe honourable in a Degpar is not your di
ord honourable without marriage? I think you wou'd to
4150 me ſay (ſaving your reverence) a, husband.“ II

bad thinfeing do not wreſt tiue ſpeaking, IU offend *
no. body; is there any harm in the heavier. for ai hof. n
Band ? none. 1 think, ir it be che right husband, and ft
the right wife, other wiſe tis light and not heavy j a0 n
N 1407 Bearrite elſe, here ſhe comes. p
. AIRS Y
Hero. Good Mm ro & „ coz. ＋ 8 n
Beat. Good Ace, ſweet Hero. it
Hero. n er vob ſpeak 8 tune? s
Beat. I am out of all other tuue, methinks. c
. 20 Clip uribto Light „deu; that goes withour Y
a burden; do you fing it, and I'll dance it. T
Beat. Yes light o love with your heels; then if oo t
husband have ſtables enough, © you'll ook he ſhalFlack

no barns. Marg,

*

Much Apo about Norhixe. 47
Marg © Wegirimate conſtruction! T ſcorn that with

my heels, OJet? 2 F578
Beat. Tis almoft . A clock, eouſin; tis time
t you were ready: by my troth k ant xcediing ill,
hey ho |

Marg. For a'hawk;,'s horſe, or a husband?
Beat. For the letter that begins them all, H.
. Marg. Well, if you be not turn d Turk, there's no
5 more failing by the ſtar.
8 Beat. What means the fool, trowẽw- ?
Marg. Nothing I, but God ſend every orie their
heart's defire.
Here Theſe' gloves the Count ſemt me, they are an
- excellent perfume..
| © Beae.'1 am ſtuft, coulin; ca fmell.
Marg. A maid and Roſe there's à goodly catching
of cold.
Beat. O God help ine, 8 help me, how long have
| you. a projet apprehenſic |
's Ever ſiace you u it; 3, doth not my wit be-
come ine rarely?
Bat. kt is" not ſeen enough, [you "ſhould wear it in
your cap. By my troth, am fick.
ö Marg. Get you ſome of this diftill'd Carduus Bene-
dictus, and by it to your. heart, it is the auh thing
tor a qualm. 1
Hero. There thou prick'ſt her with a. thiltle.
Beat. Benedictus? wh y Benedichus ? you. have ſome
m oral in this Benediclus. ;
Marg, Moral? no by my Fetk I have, no 06101
meaning, I meant plain kohy-thib!e ; you 19 0 thin
erchance that T'think you die in love; nay, 'rlady,
am not ſuch a fool ts think what I liſt; , nor I lift
not to think what 1 can, nor indeed” 1 cannot think,
if 1 would think my heart our with thinking, that you
are in bve, or that you Will be in love, or r that you
can be in love: yet Benedick was ſuch another, a
now is he become a wan; he fwore he would never
_Higrry, and yet vo in deſpight of his heart he feats
| bis went Without grudging; and how you may de co
ver

»

44 Mvcu Apo about NoTHING.

verted I know not, but methinks = look with yout
oe as other women do.
2 What pace is this that thy tongue keeps?
Not a fa ſe gallop.
975 Madam withdraw ; the P P-ince, the Count,
S gnior Penedick, Don John, and all' the gallaats ot
the town are come to fetch you to church,
Bere. Help to grels me, good cor, * Meg. good
Urſula. [ Exeunt,

Enter Leonard; with Dogberry and Verges.

Teon. What would you with me, honeſt neighbour?

Degsb. Marry Sir, I would have ſome confidence wi.h
you that decerns you nearly.

Leon. Brief 1 pray you, for you Le tis 2 buſy time
with me. 8
Dogb. Marry this it is, Sr. .
Per. Les in truth it is, Sir. |
" Leon. What is it, my good friends ?

Dogs. Goodman Verges, Sir, peaks a lttle of the
matter, an old man, Sir, and his wits are not & blunt,
as God help I would defire they were, but in faith as
Honeſt as the skin between his brows.

Verg. Yes, I thank God, I am as honeſt as any man
Tiving,. that is an old man and no honefter than
Dogs. Compariſons are odorous, palabras, neigh-
bour Verges. .

Leon. Neighbours, you are tedious.
© Dog6. It pfeaſes your worſhip to ſay ſo, but we are
the poor Duke's officers; but truly, for mine own

Part, if I were as tedious as a King, I could find in

my heart to beſtow it all bf ygur worſhip.

Leon. All thy tediouſneſs on me, ha?
: Dog6b. Yea, and twice a thouſand times more than
*tis, for I hear as good exclamation on your worſhip
as of any man in the city; and tho T be but a poor
man, I am glad to hear it.

erg. And ſo am 1.

Leon. 1 would fain know what you have to ſay.

. Marry Sir, our watch to- night, excepting your

Worſhip's

1

Mocn Apo abont NoTHING. 45

worſhip's preſence, hath ta'cn a couple as arrant
knaves as any in Mefina.

Dig A good old man, Sir, he will be talking as
they ſay; when the age is in, the wit is out, God help
us, it is a world to fee: well ſaid i faith, neighbour
Verges, well, he's a good man; an two men ride an
herie, one muſt ride behind; an honeſt foul, i“ faith
Sir, by my troth he is, as ever broke bread, but God
is to be worſhip'd;” all men are not alike, alas good
neighbour !

Leon. Indeed neighbour he comes too ſhort of you,

Dog. Gifts that God, gives.

Leon. I muſt leave you.

Dogs. One word, Sir; our watch have indeed com-
prehended two auſpicious perſons, and we would have
them this morning examin'd before your wor ſhip.

Leon. Take their examination ycur ſelf, and bring
it me, I am now in great haſte as may appear unto

yoo. JO SEN

Dog6. It ſhall be ſuffigance.

Leon, Drink ſome wine ere you go: fare you well.

X Enter a Meſſenger.

Meſſ My lord, they ſtay for you to give your daugh-
ter to her husband.

Leon. I'll wait vpon them. I am ready. ¶ Ex. Leon.

Dog. Go, good partner, go get you to Francis Sa-
coal, bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the jail ;
we are now to examine thoſe men.

Perg. And we mult do it wiſecly.

Dpgh We will ſpare for no wit, I warrant; here's
that ſhall drive ſome of them to non-come. Oaly get
the learned writer to ſer down our excommunicarion,
and meet me at the Jail Exeunt.

.

. : „„«„ i—U . „%,¾— f ß „ ð2
— y
* o

4

4s rn * Nera

— E. 888 3 7%. . „1 * . "33:53

—_— , — —

A Ce S NEN 1.
A CHURCH.
"Enter D. bene B. John; Leonato, Fei, CES

tre 3g 8 ick, kt and Ger b
T\ 7 If) „ 7 —* ITY 9 1 1 4, 8
very Fi.

ON E. friar Francis, be brief, only to the plain
form of marriage, and you ſhall recount, their
rh duties after wards.” *
Friar. You come IH my 1 to a 902

lady?

Claud. -No., L 5 |

. Leon. To he carey. ro her, iar; 3 you! come.to
marry. her.

Friar. Lady, you come bithet to be marry'd to .
Count. arc) aged .
Herp. I da. © 7 4 | 1 .

Friar. If either of you know any inward impedi-
ment why you ſhould. nor be Pons, ] 1 pu
on your fouls to utter it.

Claud Know, you any, Hera 7. N

Hero. Nene, my lo we A beth.

Friar. Koow you any, Count? 1

Ton. I dare make his anſwer, none.

Claud. O what men dare do! what wen Y "*
what men daily do !” , - -

Bene. How now ! loterjeQions? by then” ſome be
of f lvghing as ha, ha, he!

lang tand thee by, friar : father, by your. ard
you with free and unconſtrained ſoul,

_ Give me this maid: your daughter?

Leon. As freely, ſon, as God did give her me.
Claud. And What have 1 to give fot back, whoſe
Worth
May counter poiſe this rich and precious gift ?
Pedro. r e you render her ogain.

Clank: |

-

Mouca Apo about NOTHING! 47.
Claus. Swot Prigce, you len me. LICK N

neſs:
There Leonato, take ber back agains.. Weid 732
Give not this rotten orange to yqur) Fiend 1 4
She's but the ſign and ſamblance ef bes . honour 5: >
Behold How like a'maid-ſhe bluſhes here!
O what authority.and new of ruth
Can cunning ſin cover it ſelf withal! ls: 1
Eomes-nat that blood, as mogcſt gvidence,. |:
To witneſs ſimple virtue? would you hot {wears |
All you that ſee her, that ſne wMerę d mad.
By theſe exterior ſhews.? but ſhe js none:
She knows the heat of a luxurious beds
Her bluſh is guiltineſs, not modeſty.
Leon. What do you mean, my Lord? ,
Claud. Not to be marry'd, . |
Not knit my foul to an met wanton. "ERR
Leon. Dear my Lord, if you in your-own prof
Have vanquiſh'd the reſiſtance Cee yourh, © 1 |
And made defeat of her virginity 6
coy 1 know what, you would . iL baye known
er,
You'll ay, ſhe did embrace me as a husband,
And fo extenuate the forchand fin.
No, Leonato, |
Ine ver tempted her with word too + *
But as a brother to his ſiſter, ſhew'd- + |
Baſhful ſincerity, and comely love. | WS £
Hero. And ſcem'd I ever otherwiſe to you?
Claud. Out on thy ſceming, I will write 9 ago ©
You ſeem to me as Dian in her orb,
As chaſte as is the bud ere it be blown:
But you arc more intemperate in your-blood
Than Venus, or thoſe e animals
That rage in ſavage ſenſuality
Hero Is my lord well, N he doth freak 10 wide?
Leon. Sweet Prince, why ſpeak not yu? 4
Pedro. What ſhould I ſpeak ?
I ſtand diſhonour'd, that have gone about
To link my dear friend to. a common ſtale.
Leon. Ace thele things eben. or do I but dream?

* D 7 John.
| 2

$4 * 4

>

—

„

48 . Mvcn Apo about Norm.
Fobn. Sir, they ate ſpoken, and theſe Es are

true.
Bene. This looks nor like a nortel.
Hero. True LO God!“ i
Claud. Leonato, ſtand I here? ”
Is this the prince ? Is this the prince!s brother i:
Is this face Hero's? are our eyes our own? _
Leon. All this is ſo ; but what of this, my lord.
Claud. Let me bur move onc yore to you
daughter,
And by that farherly and kindly power
That you have in her, bid her anſwer truly.
Leon. I charge thee do fo, as thou aft my child,
Hero. O God defend me, how am I beſet
What kind of cxechizing call you this? 1 26
Leon. To make you anſwer truly to your name.
Hero, Is it not Herd ? who can blot cht re
With any juſt repro:ch? .
Claud, Marry that can Hero;
Hero her felf can blot out Hero's virtue.
What man was he talk'd with you yeſbernight ||
Out at your window betwixt twelve and one,

Now it you are a maid anſwer to this.

Hero. I talk'd with no man at that hour, my Lo
Pedro. Why then you are no maiden, Leonato.
I] am ſorry you thaſt Bear; upon mine hoyour,
My ſeff, my brothety and this grieved Count
Did ſee her, hear her, arthit- hbur laſt night
Talk with a rvffare- at ber chamber-window, -
| Who hath indeed, moſt Iike a liberal villain,
Confeſs d the vile encounters they have had
A thouſand 7 my ſecret.
Fohn. Fi ie, fe dey are not to be eam d, my fo: d,
Not to be ſpokew of. 1
There is not chaſtity enough i in language, a
Without offence, to utter them: thus, pretty lady.
I am forry for thy much miſgoverument.
Claud. O Hero | what a Hero hadſt thou been,
If half thy outward graces had been plac'd
About the thought ind counſels of thy heart?
By are thee well, moſt foul; moſt fair] farewe!. Fa

1
ö
4
-
|
f

That may be wiſt'd for.

1 might have faid, no part of it is mine,

That 1 my ſelf was to my oy not mine, g

Mucn Apo about NOTHING, 49

Thou pure impiety, and impious purity !
For ble TI lock * all the po f love,
And on = eyelids ſhall conje@ure- hang, 4
To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm,
And never fhall it more be gracious.
Leon? Hath no man's dagger here a point for me? 7
ow. oy how now, couſin, wherefore fink you |
own? |

Hero! why Hero ! uncle! Signior Benedict! friar !.
Leon. O face! take not away thy heavy hand, -
Death is the faireſt cover for her ſhame

Beat. How now, couſin Hero ?
Friar, Have comfort, Lady.
Leon. Doſt thou look up?
Friar. Yea, wherefore ſhould ſhe nor?
Leon. Wherefore ? why doth not every earthly thing
Cry ſhame upon her? could ſhe here deny
The ſtory that is printed in her blood?
Do not hive, Here, do not ope thine eyes:
For did I think thou wouldſt not quickly die,
3 I thy ſpirits were ſtronger than thy ſhames,
My ſelf would on the rereward of reproaches
Strike at thy lite. Griey'd I, I had but one?
Chid I for chat at frugal natare's frame?
I've one too much by thee. Why had I one?
Why ever waſt thou lovely in mine eyes?
Why had not 1, with charicable hand,
Took up a ar's iſſue at my gates?
Who ſmeered thus, and mir'd with infamy,

———— - IST EIT EE

- — —
-. — = —_ — —
——

This ſhame derives itſelf from unknown loins:
But mine, and mine I lov'd, and mine i pr ,
Ang mine that I was proud on, mine fo much,

Valairg

56% Moch Apo about NorTHING,

Valuing of her; why ſhe, O ſhe is fall'n 1 |

Into a pit of ink, that the wide ſea. _
Hath drops too few to waſh her clean again,
And ſalt too little which may ſeaſon give,
To her foul tainted fleſh. ' - +»
- Bene. Sir, Sir, be patient; ::
For my part, I am ſo attir'd in wonder,
I know not what to fay,
Beat. O, on my foul my couſin is bely'd.
Bene. Lady, were you her bedfellow laſt night?
Beat. No truly, not; altho! until laſt night
I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow. - _.
Leon. Confirm'd, confirm'd! O that is ſtronger made»
Which was before barr'd up with ribs of iron.
Would the Prince lye? and Claudio would he lye,
Who lov'd her ſo, that ſpeaking of her foulneſs,
Wafh'd it with tears? hence from her, let her die.
Friay. Hear me a little, a j
For I have only been filent fo long, |
And given way unto this courſe of fortune,
By noting of the. lady. I have mark'd
A thouſand puſhing apparitions, , . .
To ſtart into her face, a thouſand innocent ſhames
In angel whiteneſs bear away thoſe bluſhes,
And in her eye there hath appear'd a fire _
To burn the errors that theſe princes hold
Againſt her maiden truth. Call me a foo),
Truſt not my reading, nor my obſervations,
Which with experimental ſeal doth warrant
The tenure of my, book; truft not my age,
My reverence, calling, nor diyinity,, _
If this ſweet lady lie not guiltleſs here,
Under ſome biting error.
Leon. Friar, it cannot be: © 5
Thou ſreſt that all (he, grace that ſhe hath lefr,
Is, that ſhe will not add to her damnation
A fin of perjury, ſhe not denies it: - ye”
Why ſeek'ſt thou then to cover with excuſe,
That which appears in proper nakedneſs ?
Fryar. Lady, what man is he you are accus'd of?
Hero. They know that do accuſe me, I know hook :
| j

-

(

]
21
**
&

Mucn Apo about NoTHING, 51

If I know more, of any man alive

Than that which maiden modeſty doth warrant,
Let all my fins lack mercy. O my father,

Prove you that any man with me convers'd

At hours unmeet, or that I yeſternight
Maintain'd the change of words with any creature,
Refuſe me, hate me, torture me to death.

Friar. There is ſome ſtrange miſpriſion in the Princes.

Bene. Two of them have the very bent of honour,
And if their wiſdoms be miſled in this,

The practice of it lives in John the baſtard,
Whole ſpirits toil in frame of villanies.

Leon, I know nor: if they ſpeak but truth of her,
Theſe hands ſhall tear her; if they wrong her honour,
The proudeſt of them ſhall well hear of it.

Time hath not yer Sdry'd this blood of mine,
Nor age Jo eat up my invention, |
Nor fortune made ſuch havock of my means,
Nor my bad life reft me ſo much of friends,
But they ſhall find awak'd in ſuch a kind,
Both ſtrength of limb, and policy of mind,
Ability in means, and choice of friends,
To quit me of them throughly,

Friar. Pauſe a while, |
And let my counſel ſway you in this caſe. |
Your Davghter here the princeſs (left for dead)
Let her awhile be ſecretly kept in,
And publiſh it that ſhe is dead indeed:
Maintain a mourning oſtentation. $75
And on your en s old monument
Hang mournful Epitaphs, and do all rites |
That appertain unto a burial. |

Leon. What ſha'l become of this? what will this do?

Friar. Marry, this well carry'd, ſhall on her behalf
Change ſlander to remorſe ; that is ſome good:

Bur not for thar-dream I on this ſtrange courſe,
. But, on this travel look for greater birth:

She dying, as.1t mult be ſo maintain'd,

.Upar the inſtant that ſhe was accus'd, '

Shall be lamented, pity'd, and-excus'd,

C 2 oc

4 PEI» 0

52 Mock Apo about Norns.
Of every hearer: for it ſo falls ut,
That what we have we prize not to the worth,
While we enjoy it; but being lack d and loft,
Why then we rack the value, then we find
The virtue that poſſeſſion would not ſhewy us
Whilſt it was ours; fo will it fare with Claudio:
* When he ſhall hear 1 + upon his words,
© Th'idea of her “ love ſhall ſwcerly creep
Into his ſtudy of imagination.
* And every lovely organ of her life .
Shall come apparel'd in more precious habit;
More moving, delicate, and full of life,
* 'Into the eye and proſpect of his ſoul, |
Than when ſhe liv'd indeed. Then ſhall he mourn,
If ever love had intereſt in his liver, c |
And wiſh he had not ſo accufed Yer;
No, though he thought his accuſation true:
Let this be ſo, and doubt not bur ſucceſs
Will faſhion the event in better ſhape
Than I can lay it down in likelthobd: -
But if all aim but this be levell'd falſe, © ©
The ſuppoſition of thelady's death ©
Will quench the wonder-of her infimy: ©
And it it ſort not well, you may conceal her,
As beſt befits her wounded reputation,
In ſome recluſive and religious life, _
Out of all eyes, tongues, minds, and injuries.
Bene. Signior Leonato, let the friar adviſe you's
And though you know my inwardneſs and love
Is very much unto the Prince and Claudio...
Yet, by mine honour, I will deal in this
As ſecretly and juſtly, as your ſbul ö
Should with your Red; 3
Leon. Being that I flow in grief,
The ſmalleſt twine may lead me.
| Friar. Tis well conſented, prefefitly away,
ror to ſtrange ſores, ſtrangel they fan the cure.
Come, lady, die to live; , e |
j

#9:

Perhaps is but prolong 'd: have ence uud en-
dure. . ; © *f[ Exennt.
Manent

* life.

Much Apo about NOTHING, 53

Manent Benedick and Beatrice.
Bene. Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while ?
Beat, Yea, and I will weep a while longer.
Bene. I will not deſire that.
Beat. You haveno reaſon, I doit freely, x
Bens. Surely I do beſieve your fair coulin is wrong'd.

Beat. Ah how much might the man deſerve of me

that would right her?
Bene, Is there any way toſhew ſuch friendſhip?

Beat, A very even way, but no ſuch friend.

Bene, May a man do it?

Bear. It is a man's office, but not yours.

Bene. I do love nothing iu the world ſo well as you;
is not that range ?

Beat. As ſtrange as the thing I know not; it were
as poſſible for me to fay, I loved nothing ſo well as
vou; but believe me not; and yet I lye not; I con-
5 nothing, nor I deny nothing. I am forry for my
couſin. oF
© Bene, By my (word, Beatrice, thou lov't me.)
Beat. Do not ſwear by it and eat it.

Bene. I will (wear by it that you love me; and I
will make him eat it that ſays I love you not.

Beat. Will you nat eat your word ?
Bene. With no ſauce that can be devis d to it; I pro
teſt I love thee, |
| Beat. Why then God forgive me.
Bene. What offence, ſweet Beatrice? 5
Beat. Lou have Ray'd me in a happy hour; I was
about to proteſt I lov'd you. |

Bene. And do it with all thy heart.

. Bene., I love you with ſo much of, my heart, tha,
none is left to proteſt.

Bene. Come, bid me do any thing tor thee.

Beat. Kill Claudio. |
Rene. Ha! not for the wide world,
Beat. You kill me to deny farewel. *
Bene. Tarry, ſweet Beatrice. ;
Beat. I am gone, tho'l am here; there is no love in
you; nay, I pray you let me go. |
Bene. Beatrice,

29 | Beat.

N

me is undone.

54 Mven Apo about Norhne:

Beat, In faith, T will

Fene. We'll be friends Aa. ſt.

Beat. You dare eaſier be Feds 25 we, e 5
with mine enemy. 4

Bene. Is Claudio thine enced | 1

Feat. Is he not approved in 451 937 he” a Fila
that bath flander d, ſcorn'd, difhoobur's my kin ſõ o-
man! O that I were a man! what bear her in hand,
until they come to take hands, and then with publick
accuſation, uncover'd flander, unmitigated ranc vu.
O God that I were a man, 1, would eat his heart in the
market place. 46454 |

Bene. Hear me, Beatrice,” |

Beat. Talk with a wan out at a /
proper ſaying 1

Bone. 55 but Beatrice. © TA 07,

Beat, Sweet Hero? the is wrong'd, the is | Donde,

-—

Bene. But See
Beat. Princes and Oday ſi princely teſti-

37 a goodly count-coinfeet, a' Meer ee ale rey!

O that 1 were à man for his ſake! Or that 1 had an
friend would be a man for my fake! but manhood”
is melted into curteßes, Valor Tots compliment,” and
men are only turn'd into ton — and tri rn 2 too;
he is now as valiant as Hercules, that only teſis a lye,
and ſwears it; I cannot be à man with willing, there-

fore I will die a woman with jeving.”
Bene. Tarry, Beatrice and T love thee,
Beat. Uſe it for my love ſo other way chan [wegr-
by it...

. Think you id. your wur the Count Claudio

hath wrong d Hero? Wo Ad

Beat. Yea, as ſure as. J have à thought of a ſoul.
Bene. Enough, I am engag'd, I will challenge him,
I will kifs your hand, and: leave you; by this hand,
Claudio ſha'l render me dear account; 38 o⁰ herr of a
me, ſo think of mes 0 cum fort our contin, | muſt
{ay ſhe's dead, ard {6 farewel. 44 16 4 N [Extine.

04 1 1 1 rie . F J4

( 1 9 Ext er

-

Nucn Apo «bout NptHING. 5 Ty

Enter 128 Verges, Borachio, — the
Town-Clerk and Sexton in Gowns.

To. Cl. Is our whole diſſembly appear d?

Dog. O, a ſtool and cuſhion for the ſexton!

Sexton. Which be the malefactors?

Verg. Marry, that am I and my partner. )

Dog. Nay, that's certain, we have the exhibitioa to
ezamineQ.

Sexton. But which are the offenders, that are to be
examin'd ? let them come before maſter conſtable.

Tu. Cl. Vea marry, let them come before me; . t
is your name, friend? |

Bora. Borachio.

To. Cl. Pray write down, Borachio. Yours, Sirrah ?

— 30 Lam a gentlemaa, Sir, and my name is Con-
rad:

15. Cl. Write down maſter gentleman Conrade ;
maſters,” do you ſerve God? maſters, it is proved al-
ready that you ate little better than falſe knaves, and
it will go near to be thought ſo ſhortly; how anſwer
you for your ſelves? . |

Conr. Marry, Sir, we ay we are none, |

To. Cl. A maryellous witty fellow I afſure you, but
I will go about with him, Come you hither, firrah,
2 word in your. ear, Sir; I fay to you, i, is thought
you are falſe koayes. .,_ *

Bora. Sir, I ſay to you, we are none,

75. Cl. Well, ſtand aſide, fore God 7 are both i in
a tale: have you writ. down that they are none?

Sexton. Maſter town-clerk, you go not the way to
examine, you - muſt call che watch, that are their ac-
cuſers.

B. Ci. Vea, marry, that's the eaſieſt way, let the
watch come forth; maſters, I charge you in the Prince's.

name cut theſe men.
e " Enter HWatchmon.” 4 | ©

21 Watch. This man ſaid, Sir, that Don 7. the
prince's brother was a villain.

Fa. Cl. Write down, prince obn a villaio ; why this
is flat perjury, to call a prince's brother villain. *

200. Maſter towa-clerk.

wage C4 To. Ci.

Io

5s Mven Hpo about Note.
7. Cl. Pra or ior pace, I do not like th Jookt,
I promiſe — N
Sexton. What heard you him ſay elſe?
; - mga" = that he had receiv'd a thouſand ay.
of Don John, for accuſing the lady Hera w
To: CI. Flat Burg! > ever wan _—
Dogb. Yea by th Ma that it is.

Sexton. What elſe; *

| Path: Aud that Coont. Claxdio did mens, upon

Ris words, to diſgrace Hero before the whole aſſembiy,
and not marry her.

To. Cl. O villain! thou wilt be condemm d into erer
laſting redemption for this.

Sexton. What elſe?

2 Watch. This is all.

Sexton. And this is more, n than you ean de-
ny. Prince Jahn is this morning ſecredy ſtoll'n away:
Hero was in this manner accus'd, and in this very man-
ner refus d, and upon the grief of this fuddenly dy d.
Maſter conſtable, let theſe men be bound and brought
to Lennato; I will go before, and ſhew him 3 ex-
aminatiou. *

Dab. Come, kt them be opinion'd.

Sexton. Let them _ the hands of Coxcemb, been.

Daogb. God's my Life, where's the ſexton ? let him
write down the Prince's officer Caxmb: come, bind
them, thou naughty varlet. |

Conr. Away, you are an afs, you are an als.

_« Doſt thon ng rn my * doſt thou not
ſuſpett m

y years? O that he were here to write me down
an aſs — maſters, remember that I am an aſs, t h
it be not written down, yet forget not that I am an als;
no, thou villain; thou art full o piety, as ſhall be prov'd
upon thee by good witneſs; I am. a wiſe fellow, and
which is more, an officer; and whieh is more, an houſ-
holder; and which is more, as pretty a piece of fleſh as

any in M-fina, and one that knows the law, go to,
and a rich fellow enough, G2 and a fellow that hath.
had loſſes, and one t

and every
thing handſome about him; bring 1 Fa —— |

I hag been writ down x Weltha
Wa: T

%. ii 7.4

Myc Apo ghout Noruma. 57

— A — re 1 —
er . e
* Before Leonato's Houſe.
| Entir Wonato and Antonio.

Ax ron to.

F you go on thus, you will kill your ſelf,

And 'tis not wiſdom thus to fecond grief,

Againſt your ſelf. 1
Leon. I pray thee ceaſe thy counſel,
Which falls into mine ears as profitleſs
As water in a ſieve; give not me counſel,
Nor let no comfort elſe delight mine ear,
But ſuch a one whoſe wrongs doth ſute with mine.
Bring me a father that ſo Iov'd his child, 3
Whoſe joy of her is overwhelm'd like mine,
And bid him ſpeak of patience; 4
Meaſure his woe the length and breadth of mine,
And let it anſwer every ſtrain for ſtrain;
As thus for thus, and ſuch a grief for fuch,
In every lineament, branch, ſhape and form;
If ſuch a one will ſmile and ſtroke his beard,
And“ hallow, wag, cry hem, when he ſhould 5
Patch grief with proverbs, make mis fortune 4 unk
With candle-waſters x bring him yet to me,
And I of him will gather patience.
© But there is no ſuch man; for brother, men
© Can counſel, and give comfort to that grief
Which they themſelves not feel; but taſting it,
Their counſel turns to paſſion, which before.
* Would give preceptial medicine to rage,
Fetter ſtrong madneſs in a filken thread.
« I- ach mn air, pu gt with words.

No, ng, tis all men's office, to ſpeak patience”
Jo thoſe that wring under the det | 4444

But no man's virtue nor

„The

To be ſo moral, when he ſhall endure
* forrow. C. 5. _

PS, „
58 Mvcn Apo about NoTHING.
6 The like himſelf; therefore give me no counſel,
My griefs cry louder than advertiſement.
Ant. Thereindo men from children nothing differ.
Leon. I pray thee peace; I will be fleſh and blood;
For there was never yet philoſopher,
That could endutethe tooth+ach patiently ;
However they have writ the ſtylg ef Gel.
And made a piſt at chance and Mafferance.
Aut. Vet bend not all the harm upon your ſelf,
Make thoſe that do offend you ſuffer too.
Leon. There thou ſpeak"! |t reaſon, nay T: will do fo.
My ſoul doth tell me Hero is bely'd,
And that ſhall Claudio know, ſo ſhall the Prince,
And all of them that thus diſhonour he.
Enter Don Pedro and Claudio.
Ant. Here comes the Prince and Claudio ye,
Pedro. Good den, good den.
Claud. Good. day to both of you. |
Leon. Hear you, my lords???
2 We have ſome haſte, Leona to. 0
Leon, . cx 7. halte, my lord! well, fare you wit,
my lord. 3
Are you ſo haſty now? well, all is one. |
Pedro. Nay, do not quarrel with us; good'old man,
Ant. If he could ri 17 LN with ee,
Some of vs would lie 5 4
Claud. Who wrongs him ? 1 ”
Leon. 48 thou doſt wrong me, thou dillembler

Nay = al thy hand upon thy ſword, ©
1 fear thee not. 5

Claud. Marry, belbrew my hand, *
If it ſhould give your age ſuch cauſe of fear ;
In faith my hand meant nothing to my ſword.
Leon. Tuſh, tufh, man, never fleer 4 jeſt HP A

N like a dotard nor 4 Too, ©

As under privilege of age i to brag. | |
What I have done bein ng, or what would 26,
Were 1 not old: e , to thy head.

*

Thou haſt ſo wrong d my innocent child and me, A |
An

That J am fore d to lay ny reverence by,

Moch Apo about NoTHING. 59,

And with grey hairs and bruiſe of many days
Do challenge thee to tryal of a man;
I fay, thou haſt bely'd my innocent child,
Thy ſlander bath gone through and through her heart,
And ſhe lies bury'd with her anceſtors,
© in a tomb where never ſcandal ſlept,
Save this of hers, fram'd by thy villany ! 5
Claud. My villany ?
Leon. Thine ClMadio, thine I Gy.
Pedro. You ſay not right, old man.
Leon. My lord, my lord, 5
I' prove it on his body if he dare;
Deſpight his nice fence and his active practice,
His May of youth and bloom of luſty hood.
Claud. Away, I will not have to do with you.
Leon. Canſt thou ſo + daffe me? thou haſt kill'd
my child; |
If thou kill'ſt me, boy, thou ſhalt kill a man.
Ant. He ſhall kill two of us, and men indeed;
But that's no matter, let him kill one firſt ;
Win me and wear me, let him anſwer me;
Come, follow me, boy, come boy, follow me,
Sir boy, I'll whip you from your Þ foining fence ;
Nay, as I am a gentleman, I will.
Leon. Brother. |
Ant. Content your ſelf ; God knows I lov'd my neice,
And ſhe is dead, flander'd to death by villains, |
That dare as well anſwer a man. indeed,
As I dare take a ſerpent by the tongue.
Boys, apes, braggarts, jacks, milkſops !
oy” Brother Anthony. *
Ant. Hold you content; what, man? I know them,
Ca, |
And what they weigh, even to the utmoſt ſcruple :
Scambling, out- facing, faſhion-mongring boys, |
That lye, and F ſlout, deprave and ſlander,
Go antickly, and how an outward hideouſneſs,
Ard ſpeak of half a dozen dangerous words,
How they might hurt their enemies if they durſt ;
And this is all, 4 | Leon,
+ daffe, a country word for daunt.

4 foining, puſhing, or making @ paF in fencing.

. *

60 Mocn Apo aut Norremes:

Lenn. But brother Anthony,
Ant. Come, tis no matter, 5
Do not you meddle, let me deal in chis. Sf
Pedro. Gentlemen both, we will not wake your pa-
My heart is ſorry for your daughter's death; ftience.
But on my honour ſhe was charg'd with nothing
Rut what was true, and very ful of proof. |
Leon. My lord, my — -
Pedro. I i ill not hear you. |
Leon. NoT.come brother away, I will be heard.
Ant. And ſhall, or ſome of us will ſmart for it.

. [Exe. ambe..
Enter Benedick.
rav. See, ſee, here comes the man we went to **
Claud. Now Signior, What news?
Bene. Good. day, my lord.
Pedro. Welcome Signior; you are almoſt come to

part almoſt a fray.

Claud. We nad like to dave had our two toes

| mapt off with two old men without teeth.

2dro. Leonato and his brother; what think'ſt thou?

bud we fought, I doubt we ſhonld have been 200 young

for them.
Bene. In a falſe quarrel there is no true valour : 1

came to ſeek. you both.

Claud. We hi have been up and down to ſeek thee,
far we are high proof melaiicholly,. and would fain
have it beaten away: wilt thou uſe thy wit?

Vene. It is in my ſcabbard ; ſhall I draw it?

Pedro. Doſt thou wear thy wit by thy fide?

Claud. Never any did fo, though very many have
been beſide their 2 I will bid thee draw, as we do
the minitrels;- draw to pleaſure us.

Pedro. As I am an. honeſt man he looks pale: art
thou ſick or angry? -

Claud. What] courage man: what tho” care kall'd
a cat. thou haſt mettle enough in. thee to Kill care.

Bene. Sir, I ſhall meet your wit in the career, if you
charge i it againſt me. I pray you chuſe another ſubject.
Claud. Nay, then e * this laft.

Was broke cmi «
Pedro,

Mvcn Abo ant Norm. 6t-

Pedro. By this light, he changys more and mote:
I think he be angry —

Claud. I he be, he knows how to turn his gindle;

Bene. Shall I ſpeak aword in your ear ?

_ Cland. God bleſs me from a challenge

Bene. You are a Villain; I jeſt not. [ will make ie
good how you-dare, wich what you dare, and when

you dare. Do me right, or Iwill proteſt cowar--

W You have kill'd a ſweet lady, her death
ſhall fall heavy on you. Let me hear from you

1 Well, I will meer youg fo I may —

. What, a feaſt?

Claud. I faith I thank- him, he hath bid me to a
_— andy, capon, the which ne I do not carve
moſt curiouſly, ſay my kaifes Shall I not
find a wondcock: to 2 .

Bene. Sir, your — well, it goes eaſily.

Pedro. Fil tell thee how Ri _— thy witthe
other day: I ſaid thou hadſt a fine 3 right, ſays ſhe,

2 fine little one; no, ſaid I, agrar wit fal, ald the: „
a great groſs one; nay ſaid 1, a good wit; juſt; ſaid
the, it hurts no body; nay ſaid I, the gentleman is wiſe ;

certain, ſaid ſhe, „ te nay. ſaid I, he
hath the tongues; t that I believe, faid the, for he
ſwore a thing to me on Monday night which he forſwore-
on Tueſday morning; there's a double tongue, there's
two . has did. ſhe an hour t tranſ-

ſha particular virtues,. yet at laſt ſhe concluded

uw ee h, thou waſt the propereſt man in 7ay..

Claud. For the which the wept heartily, and faid.
ſtecar'd not.

Pedro. Yea, that ſhe did; but yet for all that, and:
if ſhe did not hate him deadly, ſhe would. love him
dearly ; the old man's daughter told us all.

All, all; and moreover, God law him when
he was hid in the garden.

Piech. But when ſhall we fet che abvage bulfs horns

on the ſenſible Benedick's head ?

+ .Claud. Yea, and text underneach, here dwells B2-
nadel the marriec man. *

—

62+ Much Apo about NOTHING.

ene. Fare you well, boy, you know my mind, I
will leave you now to your goſſip- like humour; you
break jeſts as braggards do their blades, which God be
thank'd hurt not. My lord, for your many courteſies
I thank you; I muſt diſcontinue your company; your
brother the baſtard is fled from Mena; you have a-
mong yo killed a ſweet and innocent lady. For m
lord lack+beard there, he and I ſhall meet, and ti
then peace be with him. [Exit Benedick.

Pedro. He is in earneſt.” _

Claud. In moſt. profound earneſt, and I'll warrant
you for the love of Beatrice. 1

Pedra. And hath challeng'd thee?

Claud. Moſt ſincee 7x. 5 |
Pedra. What a pretty thing man is, when he goes
in his doublet and hoſe, and leaves off his wit!

Enter Dogberry, Verges,. . and Borachio

Claud. He is then 22 to an ape, but then is
an ape a doctor to ſuch a man. | |
Pedro. But ſoft. you, let me ſee, pluck up my heart
and be fad, did he not ſay my brother py xe
| Dogb, Come you, Sir, if juſtice cannot tame you,
ſhe ſhall ne er weigh, more reaſons in her balance; nay,
if you be a curſing bypocrite once, you muſt be look d
Dragan b cf 1 diane + 2. | *
- Pedro. How now, two of my brother's men bound ?
Borachie one ena 4 2
Claud. Hearken after their offence, my lord.
Pedro. Officers, what offence have theſe men done?
Dogb. Marry, Sir, they have committed falſe re-
port, moreover they have ſpoken untruths ; ſeconda-
rily they are flanders ; ſixth and laſtly, they have be-
ly'd a lady; thirdly, they have verify d unjuſt things;
and to conclude, they are lying knaves.
Pedro. Firſt, I ask thee what they have done; third-

* ly, Lask thee what's their offence ; ſixth and laſtly,

why they are committed; and to conclude, what you
lay to their charge ? -_ yy _ |
Claud. Rightly reaſon'd, and in his own diviſien;
and by my troth, there's one meaning well —_— 5

| edro,

Mucn Apo bout NorhiNe. 63

Pedro. Whom have you offended, maſters, that you
are thus bound to your anſwer? This learned conſta-
ble is too cunning to be underſtood. What's vous of-
fence ?

Bora. Sweet Prince let me o no further to mine
anſwer: do you hear me, and po this Count kill me :
J have deceiv'd even your very eyes; what your wiſ-
doms . could not diſcover, theſe ſhallow fools have
ought to light, who in the night overheard me con-

to this, man, how Don Jobn your brother in-
— 5 me to ſlander. the lady . Hero, how you were
brought into the orchard, and aw me court Margaret
in Hero's garments, how you diſgrac'd her when you
ſhould marry her; my villany hy have upon record,
which I had rather ſeal with my death, than repeat
over to my ſhame ; the Lady is dead upon mine and
my maſter's falſe accuſation and briefly, I deſire no-

thing but the reward of à villain.

Pedro. Km not this ſpeech like ion through your

lood ?.

Claud. I have drunk poiſon while he utter d in -; 6

Pedro. But did my brother ſet thee-on to this? *

Berg. Yea, paid me richly for the practice of it.

Pedro. He is compos'd and ſram'd cf ere a
And fled he is upon this villany.

Claud. Sweet Hero! now thy image doth appear
In the rare ſemblance that I lov'd'it firſt.

Dogb. Come brin ng away the plaintiffs, by this time
our ſextan hath reform'd Signior Leanato of the mat-
ter; and maſters, do not forget to ſpeciſie, when time
and place ſhall ſerve, that I am an aſs.

Verg. Here, here comes maſter Signior Leonato, and

= the ſexton too.

Enter Isdn. 5

Leon. Which is the villain ? let me ſee .
That when I nete another man like him,
I may avoid him; which of theſe is he?

Bora. H you would know your wronger, look on me.

Leon. N. err art thou the oy that vic thy

reatitn |
Has kid mine innocent child? | |
Bora.

-

— —— — — . ——
a; — — — ———
0 9
-

Sid; e |
- Leon. No, not fo villain, thou bely'.chy er >
Hers Aan pair of honourable men,

A third is IIS it:

1 thank you princes for my daughter”s death ;
Record it with your petty apy
Twas bravely done, bethink you of it.

— Claud, n

ver 1 muff ſpeali chase your-revenge your felf,

Im rae to what penance your invention
gt Wing 1 ſinn'd T *
But in mi |
Pedro. By who ſoul nor I;
And yet to ſatisſie this gopd old man,
1 would bend under any heavy weight
That he'll enjoin me to.
Leon. Vou cannot bid my e again,
That were impoſſible; but L my you both
Poſſeſs the in M.
How innocent ſhe dy'd ; and if y your love
898 in ſad invention,

upon her tomb, $5:
pa, — it's s nah ſing it to- night:

To-morrow mo come you to my houſe,

= ſince Pe could not be my ſon-in-law,

ew; my brother hath a hter
4 copy of my child that's A
Ant ſhe alone 15 heir. to both of us,
Give her the right you ſhould have given her oy
And ſo dies my revenge.
Claud. O noble Sir? |
Your over-kindngſs doth ker fram 157
I do embrace your offer, 8
For henceforth of poor Ciauadio

Leon. To-morrow then I will expe& your coming,
To- night I take my leave. ———— Tal

Shall face to face be to Margaret,

-

Who I believe was pack 1

Hir'd to it by your brother. |
Bora. No, by my ſoul ſhe was not; (9k 51

der kaew not what the dd when te yoke .

Muc Apo bm Nori. 65
But always hath been juſt and virtuous,
In any thing that I do know by her. | |
5. Moreover, Sir, which indeed is not under
white and black, this plaintiff here, the offender, did
call me aſs; I beſeech you ler it 'be remembred in
his puniſhment; and alſo the watch heard them talk of
one Deformed: they fay he wears a key in his ear,
and a lock hanging by it, and borrows money in God's
name, the which he hath. us'd ſo long, and never paid,
that now men grow hard-hearted, and will lend no-
thing for God's ſake. Pray you examine him upon
at point, 55 -
Low I thank thee for thy care and honeſt pains.
Dogb. Your worſhip ſpeaks like a moſt chaukcful; and
reverend youth; and I praiſe God for you. 1
Leon. There's for thy pains. ; |
Deogb. God fave the foundation.
Leon. Go, I diſcharge thee of thy priſoner; and I.
thank thee. ä M MG
Dogb. I leave an errant knave with your worſhip,
which I beſeech your worſhip to correct your (elf, for
the example of others. God keep your worſhip ; I wiſh:
vous worſhip well: Gad reſtore you to health ; T humbly
ve you leave-to.depart ; and if a merry meeting may
be wiſh'd, God prohibit it. Come neighbour,
Freut.
Leon. Until to-morrow morning, Lords farewel.
Ant. Farewel my Lords, we look for you to-morrow.
Pedro. We will not fail. 13 a
Claud. To- night I'll mourn with Hr.
Leon. 2 you theſe fellows on, well talk with
rgaret, | 3
How her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow.
[Exeunt.

SCENE, Ieonato': Hou
| Enter Benedick and Margaret. *
Bene. Pray thee, ſweet miſtreſs Margareg deſerve
well at my hands, by helping me LS of
Beatrice. ES k
Marg. Will you then write me a ſonnet in praiſe of
my beauty ? Bene.

66 Mucn, Apo. about NOTHING.

Bene. In ſo high a ſtyle, Margaret, that no man
living ſhall come over, it ; for in moſt comely truth
thou deſerveſt it. inn
Marg. To haye no man come over me ? why, ſhall
I always keep below as:?

; Bene. Thy wit is as quick as the grey hound's mouth,

#47 *

„„ MORE
Marg. And yours as blunt as the fencer's foils,
which hit, but hurt not. |
Biene. A moſt ll wit, Margery, it will not hurt
a woman ; aud ſo I pray thee call Beatrice: I give
ches the bocklers. 5 ea? if <7 * bo n
Marg, Give us the ſwords, we have bucklers of our

Bene. If you uſe them, Margaret, ou muſt put in
the pikes with a vice, and they are dangerous wea-

pons for maids. n n | |
Marg. Well, I will call Beatrice to you, who I think
hath legs. 2 4 [Exit Margaret.
Bene, And therefore will come. [Sings] The God of
love that fits above, and knows me, and knows me, how
pitiful; I geferve, I mean in ſinging ; but in loving,
ander the good ſwimmer, Treilus the firft employer
of pandars, and a whole book, full, of theſe enden
carpet-mongers whoſe names yet run ſmoothly in the
even road of a blank verſe, why they were never ſo
truly turn'd over and over, as my poor ſelf in love;
marry I cannot ſhew it in rhime; I have try'd,. I can
find out no rhime to Jad but hach, an innocent's rhime ;
for ſcorn, horn, a hard rhime ; for ſcheol, fol, a bab-
ling rhime; very ominous endings ; no, I was not
born. undet a rhiming planet, for I cannot woo in feſti-
.. öLö
n r
Sweet Beatrice, would'ſt thou come when I call thee ?
Beat. Yea Signior, and depart when you bid me.
Bene. O ſtay but till then. |
Beat, Then is ſpoken ; fare you well now; and yet
ere IL go, let me go with that I came for, which is,
with knowing what hath"paſt between you and Claudio.
Bene. Only foul words, and thereupon I * kiſs
avg F * 4.

.
JAY

4 = » tink — Aenne
'Mvcn Abo about NrHNG. 67

Beat. Foul words are but foul wind, and foul wind
is but ſoul breath, and foul breath. is 'noiſomte ; there:
for I will depart unkifgd.”' |

ene. Thou haſt frighted the N. out of its right
ſenſe, ſa. forcible is thy wit ; but I muſt tell thee plain=
ly, Claudio Mule gives i my / challengh, and either I muſt
ſhortly hear ftom him, 9 Iwill ſubſcribe him a cow-
ard: and I pray thee now tell me, for which of my
bad parts didſt thou firſt fall in love with me?

Beat. For them all together, which maintain'd fo
politick a ſtate of evil, they will not admit any
good part to intermingle with them: but for which
of my good parts did you firſt ſuffer love for me?

Bene. Suffer love] a good epithet ;, I do ſuffer love
indeed, for I love thee againſt my will.

Beat. In ſpight of — heart; I think; alas poor
heart, if you pight it for my ſake, I will ſpight it for
tri ; for 1 will never love that which my friend

tes

Bene. Thou and T are tog wiſe to woo peaceably.

Beat. It appears not in this confeſſion ; there's not
one wiſe man among tWenty that will ptaiſe himſelf.

Bene. An old, àn old dene Beatrice, that liv'd
in the time of good neighbours'; if a mah do not erect
in this age his own to 80 ere \ he dies, he ſhall live ne
longer. in monuments, than the bells ring, * the u wi-
dow weeps. > &f |

Beat. And how long is that, think you ? |

Bene. Queſtion? why an hour in * and a
8 in rheum; therefore it is moſt expedient for

e wiſe, if Don worm. (his conſeience) fin no impe-
diment to the contrary, to be the trumpet of his own
virtues, as I am to my ſelf; ſo much for praiſing my
ſelf ; who I my ſelf will bear witneſs is pa be. ;
and now tell me how doth your. conſt „ 5

Beat. Very ill. en N K 4 {ell

Bene. And how do you ? | Nenn

Beat. Very Ml too. | 5
Enter Urſula. |
Bene. Serve God, love me and mend; Ne will 1

leave you too, for here comes one in haſte.
* 3 , Lia.

68 Men Apo. about NOTHING.

Ur/s, Madam, you, muſt come 2 our uncle; 97
ders's old coil at home ; it is prov? {Lady Hero bach
ou falſely accus'd, the Prises 200 Clas. 0; 151 55

W Don Jabs i is the author of all, Who'1
* 220 * will yon come preſentiy? ; |
Beat. Will you bear this news gnior ? *
Bene. I wil lit in thy heart, mY ey in thy lap, and
be ag} in thy eyes; and moreover T bes o with
thee to thy uncle. Fer. g

8 | '$CE NE, a Crone. 9
Bute Don Pedro, Chandio, and er a

Quas Is this the wendest of lauen 7
Alien. It is, ** lord.

BPITAPH.

+ N enderoug t
Dub,. the an 5 here 22

N in guerdon of ber Turongss

$. Gr br fe arr |

S the life th Gail fone, CE + edi
» 7 in death with 8 3 ET S

3 hoy ther,
gy” Ka Laras a N

Claad. Now mulick Wr ol, * you alem
*

5 KN

| Pardon, e, nigli; | 129
1 tha virgin luigi:
fe: By the quhich with fongs of woe, |
Round abeat her tomb they go.
Midnight AN our man,
Help us to figh and groan.
eavily, heavily, *
Graves yawn and yield * dat,
Jil death be uttered, "Hy
- Heavenh, hiaveniy. 64 3 (VS CANE,

*

Mon Apo abr Norms. 65

Claud. Now unto thy bones ts
Yearly will 1 do this rhe. W NY
Pedro. Good'morrow maſters, put your torches out,
The wolves have 'd ; and look the gentle day
Before the wheels of 'Phizbzs, round .
Dapples the drowſie eaſt with ſpots grey-
Thanks yo u all, and leave us; / ——
Claud. morrow maſters; each his ſeveral
Pedro. Come let us hence, and put on other 5
And then to Leonato's we will
Claud. And Hymen now with luckier iſſue
Than wist for whom we render r'd up this woe. n.

SCENE, Leonato's Hon ſe.

Enter Leonato, Benedick, » Urſula, Antonio,
Friar, and Hero.

Friar. Did I not tell you ſhe was innocent?
Leon. So are the Prince and Claadio who accus'd her,
Upon the error that you heard debated.
But — was — _ fault for this;
Alt againſt her will as it appears,
In — courſe'of all the queſtion.
Ant. Well, I am glad that all things fort ſo well.
Bene. And ſo-atn being elſe by faith enforc'd
To call y Claudio t to a a reckoning for it.
Leon. Well da and you gentle / omen al.
Withdraw into a c ber by: your ſelves,
And when I ſend for you, come hither mask'd :
The Prince and C audio promis d by this hour
To viſit me; you know your office,
Vou muſt be father to your brother's daughter,
And give her to young Claudio.
Exount Ladies.

Ant. Which I will do with confirm” countenance.
- Bene. Friar, I muſt intreat your pains, I think.

Friar. To do what, Sign{or ? |

Ber. To:bind me or undo me, ons of them:
Signior Leonato, truth it is good Signior,
Vour neice regards me with an eye of-fayour.
fav. That ere my daughter lent her, tis moſt true.

Bene.

*. * Mocu Abo ab Notre.

. Bene, And I do with an Eye of Love requite her.
Leon, The Sight whereof I think you ha had from me,
F rom Claudio and the Prince; but what's your will?

Bene. Vour Anſwer, Sir, is enigmatical;

But for my will, my will is, your good will

May ſtand with ours, this day-to be conjoin d

Pth' ſtate of honourable Marriage, |
N good Friar, I ſhall deſire Jour: hp.

Leon. My heart is with your liking: os

Friar. And my help. | |

Eater Don Pedro and Claudio, with Attendant, | Kel

: Pedro. Good morrow to this fair Aſſemhly. 1

Leon. Good morrow 7. Bea morrow Claud dio,

7575 matteerr,r5,
That ou have ſuch real: [> 20712 50 1 ew 1
So full of froſt, of ſtorm, ànd cloudineſs _ 51 1
Claud. I think he thinks upom the ſavage bullz 70
Toſh, fear not, man, well tip thy horns wo geld,
And fo all Europe ſhall rejoice at thee; -
As once'Europe did at luſty ob,

When he would play the noble beaſt in loxe.

Bene! Bull Jobe, Sir, had an amiable low,
And ſome ſuck ſtrange bull leapd your father's cow,”
And got a calf in that ſame noble feat. 1. 1
Much like'to you, for youthave juſt his best-

Enter Hero, Beatrice, Margaret, and Ural
Claud. For this Foe you here come biker rock.

Nane 03 15

Which is the 54 muſt ſeize upon ?
Lens. This fame is ſhe, and ! do give you her.
Glaud. Why then ſhe's mine; ſweet, let me ſee your
face. © | A T4 cher]
Lean. No ithat you mall not, l you take ber hand
Before this Friar and ſwear to marry her. ung
Claud. Give me your hand; before this holy F far,

Jan your husband, if you like of me. , 1
Here.

Much Apo-about NoTHING. 71

Hero. And when I 118 I was your other Wife.
. | [Unmaxking.
And when you lov'd you were ar other husband.
Claud. Another Hero? |
Hero. Nothing certainer. -
One Hero dy d, but Ido live:
And ſurely as I live I am amaid.
Pedro. The former Hero! Hero that is dead!
Leon. She dy'd, my lord, but whiles her flander liv'd.
Friar. All this Amazement can I ualify, |
When after that the holy rites are ended,
I'll tell thee largely of fair Hero's death:
Mean time let wonder ſeem familiar,
And to the chappel les us preſently.
Bene. Soft and fair, friar. Which is an ?
Beat. Tanſwer to that name, what is _ will? .
Bene. Do not you love me?
Beat. Why no; no more than reaſon. _ .
Bene. Why then your uncle, and the prince, and
Claudio, have been deceiv'd, they were you did.
Beat. Do not you love me?
Bene. Troth no, no more than reaſon.
Beat. Why, then my couſin, Margaret; and Urſula,
Are much deceiv'd; for they did ſwear you did.
Bene. They (wore you were almoſt ſick for me.
Beat. They ſwore you were well-nigh dead for me.
Bene. Tis no matter, then you do not love me?
Beat. No truly, but in friendly recompence. ,
Leon. Come, couſin, I am ſure: you love the gentle-
man.
Claud. And I'll be ſworn upon 't that he loves ber,
For here's a paper written in his hand,
A halting ſonnet of his on pure brain,
Faſhion'd to Beatrice. |
Hero. And here's another,
Writ in my couſin's hand, ſtolen from her pocket,
Containing her affection unto Beneaick.
Bene. A miracle! here's our own hands againſt our
hearts; come, 1 will have thee, but by this light I take

thee for pity.
Beat.

5 * — 8
*

v5 Mvcn Apo about NoTHING.

Beat. I would not deny you, but by this
I yield upon great perſuaſion, and partly to =_
life; for as I was told, you were in a conſumption. -

Leon. Peace, I will ſtop your mouth.

Pedro. Hew doſt thou, Benedick the married man?

Bene. I'll tell thee what, Prince; a college of wit-
crackers cannot flout me out of my humour: doſt
thou think I care for a ſatyr, er an epigram? no: if
a man will be beaten with brains, he ſhall wear no-
os 1 —— In brief, ſince I do =
poſe to marry, I will think nothing to any pu
that the world can ſay againſt it; and therefore ne-
ver flout at me, for what I have ſaid againſt it; for
man is a giddy thing, and this is my conclufion ; for
thy part, Claudio, I did think te have beaten thee, but
in that thou art like to be my kinſman, live unbruis'd,
and love my couſin.

Claud. I had well hoped thou wouldſt have denied
Beatrice, that I might have cudgell'd thee out of thy
ſingle life, to make thee. a double dealer, which out
of queſtion thou wilt be, if my couſin do not look ex-

ding narrowly to thee.

- "Bene. Come; come, we are friends; let's have a
dance e er we are marry'd, that we may lighten our
own hearts, and our wives heels.

Leon. We'll have dancing afterwards. |

Bene. Firſt, o my word ; therefore play muſick.
Prince, thou art ſad, get thee a wife, get thee a wife;
there is no ſtaff more reverend than one tipt with horn.

Enter Meſſenger. 3

Me. My Lord, your brother Johr is ta'en in flight,
And brought with armed men back to Meſſina.

Bene. Think not on him till to-morrow, I'll deviſe
thee brave puniſhments for him. Strike up pipers.

[Dance.
[Exeunt omnes.

-

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